Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To the Associate Dean (Studies)
Request:
I am appealing to drop PSYC 205, RELS 240, GNDS 120, and SOCY 226 (Fall, 2017) past the drop deadline without penalty.
Explanation of Extenuating Circumstances:
I have been suffering from crippling depression and anxiety, which is gravely affecting my academic performance. I was officially diagnosed in grade 12, however the situation was manageable. It has gotten progressively worse through the semester; I am no longer able to function normally, let alone meet my academic expectations. The specific areas of I am struggling with are: being unable to attend lectures and labs, meet deadlines, concentrate on studying and assignments, difficulty concentrating in lecture, extreme homesickness, difficulty finding motivation to do work, difficulty adjusting to living in a new province with no support system and the stress of academics, trouble dealing with new responsibilities, problems paying attention in lecture when I do attend, anxiety regarding crowds in lectures, loneliness, and frequent panic attacks (which can sometimes last for days). My depression has pushed me to the point where I have inflicted self harm and have daily suicidal thoughts. It is important that I receive treatment considering my situation is this serious. Focusing on my academics rather than my health has lead me further into a deep pit of depression this past month (November 2017). I am unable to manage my time, and take time for myself when I need to. The demanding workload is too much handle in my serious condition. My mental illnesses have manifested to the point where my symptoms have caused me to feel physically ill constantly. Due to my anxiety, seeking professional help in Kingston with no support system from family who are the most familiar with my situation, has been very difficult. Therefore, I have recently had to return home (on November 24th, 2017) to seek better help and treatment in a proper facility, as well as being in a comfortable and stable environment in my home town. I am unable to return as I am being treated for my mental illnesses. My health and wellness are a priority. I did not drop my courses sooner, as I feared rejection and was in denial of my deteriorating state. I needed to hit ¿¿rock bottom¿ to realize I need serious help.
Recently, on October 17th, 2017, I was hospitalized twice in one day for anxiety. I was shaking, unable to walk, and fainted due an unbearable pain in my chest and arm. These symptoms lasted a week. I experience situations such as these frequently to varying degrees of severity. I was also hospitalized four times for mental health during the summer of 2017. I thought that coming back to Queen¿¿s after a summer to rejuvenate would help my case. However, I was unable to receive the adequate treatment I should have had over the summer. I had returned to Queen¿¿s due to pressures from certain relatives to return to school.
Additionally, my mother has been battling breast cancer the past year. Without going into great personal detail, being away from her at such critical times is unbearable for me, knowing that her time could be limited. I would like to be there for my mother when she needs me the most at this time as well. Her condition has been hard on my mental health as well. On days that she has had major operations and treatment, I was completely unable to do anything due to my anxiety and depression.
Since submitting this letter, I have returned to Halifax to seek immediate treatment and to meet with the physician who is familiar with my case, to provide documentation for my appeal.
Future Plan:
Upon my return to Halifax, improving my mental health will be my top priority. I will be seeking treatment, and possible admission to a mental health facility. In addition, I will be seeing a psychologist on a weekly basis. I will receive better treatment back home as the doctors at the hospital in Halifax are more familiar with my case. I will take time to relax, recuperate, spend time with my family and loved ones. I will focus on finding ways to cope with my struggles before I move forward with my academics, as I clearly am not in the right state of mind at this point in my life.
Being away from home has contributed to my deteriorating mental health therefore, I will be remaining in Halifax for the Winter 2018 semester. When I feel I am in a well enough state of mind to continue with academics, I will be transferring to Dalhousie University. I am asking to drop these courses without academic penalty past the drop deadline. Due to my mental state, my academics have suffered. The grades I would receive in these courses are not an accurate representation of my academic abilities (as I had to leave Queen¿¿s to receive treatment for my illnesses).

Thank you for your consideration,
Morgan MacKeigan, 20011336