Petition Letter
Since attending Queen¿¿s I have dealt with multiple depressive/anxiety episodes, as do a significant portion of my peers. I have sought out medical attention through Queen¿¿s Medical services for these episodes. My depressive symptoms were/are aggravated by school and the winter months. Although my depression certainly has had an effect on my studies, it has not prevented me from working towards my degree and getting the credits I need, up until the winter semester of 2017. I continually sought medical attention through all available avenues. I also registered myself with Disability services, and have re-registered every semester I have had depressive symptoms, while also notifying my department.
This winter semester (2017) around late January, I felt the depressive symptoms return. I immediately sought out medical attention, and notified my support (friends and family). As things continued to get worse, I notified my department (providing the required documentation) and some of my professors (the ones I felt comfortable sharing this information with). My condition continued to get worse, unfortunately none of the medical advice I sought out seemed to have a major effect on this depressive episode (I was seeing 3 medical professionals, a doctor, a Phycologist and a Psychiatrist). By the end of the semester my depression had never been worse. I had become very suicidal and the task of sitting for my exams was too great. I decided to return to the home of my parents just before exams started, this was 100 the right decision and I stand by it. At that point I had to put my personal safety ahead of my academics. I notified Irina within the department of ECE that I was not fit to write my exams.
There seems to be a lot of talk on Queen¿¿s Campus around mental health, I see dozens of posters around campus advocating for it and I¿¿m sure I have received multiple emails on the subject from Queen¿¿s personal. I feel as though I have done everything in my power to get help on campus every time I feel a depressive episode arise. I have also done my due diligence in notifying the appropriate personal within Queens of my situation. And every time I make myself vulnerable and open up about it to Queen¿¿s personal I regret it. I don¿¿t feel as if though I have received any proper help. Never mind the two week wait periods at Queens Counseling services or the doctor¿¿s office at La Salle (2 weeks is a crazy amount of time for a depressed University Student). Most astonishingly of all was the lack of understanding and communication within the department of engineering. From ignorant comments made by professors, to the hours spent trying to gather the correct paperwork and follow all the procedures (as advised by staff of the Engineering Department) to notify the correct people of my illness, only to be asked to explain myself again and receive letters in the mail notifying me that I am being asked to withdraw from the faculty.
I have registered myself with disability services, seen doctors on campus, received counseling on campus, notified my department and professors of my illness and now I am asked to explain my poor academic performance last semester. I find this appalling.
I strongly believe that the lack of support available to me, and the manner in which this situation has been dealt with has added to my inability to be successful academically.
The added stress caused by the departments handing of the situation has amplified my depression, I now fear any communication to the department, and am in distress as I write this letter. My RWWR (Requirement to Withdraw Waiver Request ) was submitted the day before it was due because I kept putting it off, it was a very difficult thing to deal with. Even though I believe I have a valid explanation for leaving at the end of the semester, the department has made me feel as if I have done something wrong, as if I am at fault and as if I deserve the F¿¿s on my academic report. You could imagine what this would do to someone in my situation, I felt as if though I was treated as 10156387 and not Marnus. As I write this I am forced to dig back into my darkest days and relive the worst few weeks of my life, I don¿¿t wish this upon anyone. This needs to change.
Unfortunately the fact that I have depression isn¿¿t something I can change, however I put in a great effort to manage my depression. I have built up an incredible support network of friends and family who I know I can reach out to whenever I need help. I seek the care of every type of medical professional available to me; I have attached multiple letters from medical professionals proving I have been under their care (attached to my RWWR and on file in the department). I would be happy to provide more if need be. I have seen just about everyone I can about my depression including medical staff employed by the University. I have tried multiple medications prescribed to me by these medical professionals and until the start of May 2017 I hadn¿¿t had any success with any of these. Under the advice of the above mentioned medical professionals I partake in cardiovascular exercise 4-6 times a week in an effort to maintain good mental health. I have assessed my lifestyle multiple times with the support of the above mentioned medical professionals and have made the changes they have suggested to give myself the best possible chance of avoiding depressive episodes. I have come to the conclusion with these medical professionals that my condition is largely not in my control, and a combination of multiple factors, mainly genetics.
At this point my mental health has greatly improved, I am working a fulltime summer job and have not had any issues. I would like, and believe I should be granted the opportunity to write some of winter semester exams.
I believe I have addressed the request (among other things) made by the Stacy Shane on behalf of The Department of Engineering at Queen¿¿s. If there is any additional information required I would be happy to provide it. Please understand that this topic places a significant amount of emotional strain on me and therefore my responses might be delayed.
Thanks,
Marnus Coetsee
This winter semester (2017) around late January, I felt the depressive symptoms return. I immediately sought out medical attention, and notified my support (friends and family). As things continued to get worse, I notified my department (providing the required documentation) and some of my professors (the ones I felt comfortable sharing this information with). My condition continued to get worse, unfortunately none of the medical advice I sought out seemed to have a major effect on this depressive episode (I was seeing 3 medical professionals, a doctor, a Phycologist and a Psychiatrist). By the end of the semester my depression had never been worse. I had become very suicidal and the task of sitting for my exams was too great. I decided to return to the home of my parents just before exams started, this was 100 the right decision and I stand by it. At that point I had to put my personal safety ahead of my academics. I notified Irina within the department of ECE that I was not fit to write my exams.
There seems to be a lot of talk on Queen¿¿s Campus around mental health, I see dozens of posters around campus advocating for it and I¿¿m sure I have received multiple emails on the subject from Queen¿¿s personal. I feel as though I have done everything in my power to get help on campus every time I feel a depressive episode arise. I have also done my due diligence in notifying the appropriate personal within Queens of my situation. And every time I make myself vulnerable and open up about it to Queen¿¿s personal I regret it. I don¿¿t feel as if though I have received any proper help. Never mind the two week wait periods at Queens Counseling services or the doctor¿¿s office at La Salle (2 weeks is a crazy amount of time for a depressed University Student). Most astonishingly of all was the lack of understanding and communication within the department of engineering. From ignorant comments made by professors, to the hours spent trying to gather the correct paperwork and follow all the procedures (as advised by staff of the Engineering Department) to notify the correct people of my illness, only to be asked to explain myself again and receive letters in the mail notifying me that I am being asked to withdraw from the faculty.
I have registered myself with disability services, seen doctors on campus, received counseling on campus, notified my department and professors of my illness and now I am asked to explain my poor academic performance last semester. I find this appalling.
I strongly believe that the lack of support available to me, and the manner in which this situation has been dealt with has added to my inability to be successful academically.
The added stress caused by the departments handing of the situation has amplified my depression, I now fear any communication to the department, and am in distress as I write this letter. My RWWR (Requirement to Withdraw Waiver Request ) was submitted the day before it was due because I kept putting it off, it was a very difficult thing to deal with. Even though I believe I have a valid explanation for leaving at the end of the semester, the department has made me feel as if I have done something wrong, as if I am at fault and as if I deserve the F¿¿s on my academic report. You could imagine what this would do to someone in my situation, I felt as if though I was treated as 10156387 and not Marnus. As I write this I am forced to dig back into my darkest days and relive the worst few weeks of my life, I don¿¿t wish this upon anyone. This needs to change.
Unfortunately the fact that I have depression isn¿¿t something I can change, however I put in a great effort to manage my depression. I have built up an incredible support network of friends and family who I know I can reach out to whenever I need help. I seek the care of every type of medical professional available to me; I have attached multiple letters from medical professionals proving I have been under their care (attached to my RWWR and on file in the department). I would be happy to provide more if need be. I have seen just about everyone I can about my depression including medical staff employed by the University. I have tried multiple medications prescribed to me by these medical professionals and until the start of May 2017 I hadn¿¿t had any success with any of these. Under the advice of the above mentioned medical professionals I partake in cardiovascular exercise 4-6 times a week in an effort to maintain good mental health. I have assessed my lifestyle multiple times with the support of the above mentioned medical professionals and have made the changes they have suggested to give myself the best possible chance of avoiding depressive episodes. I have come to the conclusion with these medical professionals that my condition is largely not in my control, and a combination of multiple factors, mainly genetics.
At this point my mental health has greatly improved, I am working a fulltime summer job and have not had any issues. I would like, and believe I should be granted the opportunity to write some of winter semester exams.
I believe I have addressed the request (among other things) made by the Stacy Shane on behalf of The Department of Engineering at Queen¿¿s. If there is any additional information required I would be happy to provide it. Please understand that this topic places a significant amount of emotional strain on me and therefore my responses might be delayed.
Thanks,
Marnus Coetsee