Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Associate Dean (Studies) Dr. Jenn Stephenson,


I am appealing the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for second semester due to mental health issues. I have been suffering from severe anxiety and persistent depressive disorder. I have been struggling with this for a very long time now and it has negatively affected my academics and day to day life, to the point where I need to do something about it. My mental health has directly affected my ability to perform to my true academic potential even since my first year. It has fully taken over my life and I can't live like this anymore. This is the last thing I want to do but I'm afraid it's my last resort and I do not have another choice. I was not mentally healthy by any means in the beginning of the year, but as the semester continued, my mental health got much worse- the worst it has ever been. I was put on academic probation for second year (this year) and the stress of that contributed to pushing me to the edge. I knew I shouldn't have come back second semester, even first, but I was so scared of failure and disappointment that I stayed quiet and tried to persevere. However, that was probably the worst thing I could've done as it pushed me to my breaking point and my grades continuously suffered for it. I had to go home in January/February after dealing with anxiety attacks almost every day. That was when I knew I needed to do something. My parents couldn't see me like that and not do anything, so they came and took me home. A week later my grandfather had passed. After all that I couldn't bear to even think about school in fear of more attacks or worsening depression. This has been the most difficult year for me when I needed it to be as best as possible. I saw my doctor after I got home to discuss my situation and gave him the verification of personal health condition form to sign. I am so sorry that I have to do this, but I cannot stress enough the seriousness of the situation and necessity to take some time off. In terms of my future plans, I am going to see a psychiatrist and start therapy. Hopefully that proves useful and I can get to start feeling like myself again. I even took a lighter course load this year to see if that would help, and the result was just as poor. If my mental health wasn't this bad, I know I would've done much better. Upon my return to studies if possible, I will do everything I can to get academically in good condition, whether that's getting accommodations, or seeing someone through the school such as a personal counsellor. I am so scared for my academic future and disappointed in myself for getting to this point, and so sorry that I had to come to this. I really need this appeal to be accepted because I don't know what else to do. I'm in an extremely difficult situation that I cannot battle on my own. If there is anything else you need to know, have any questions at all, or want to meet with me, please contact me and let me know.


Thank you for your time, consideration and assistance in this matter,

Lucas Paletta