Petition Letter
To the Associate Dean (Studies),
My name is Eric Irwin (10112961) and I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of three years as I encountered extenuating circumstances beyond my control. During my first year at Queen¿¿s I experienced challenges with mental stress as well as depression and was unable to achieve success and was issued a requirement to withdraw for a year. At the time I decided to take that year to learn about what I faced and start to address it by seeking counselling and assistance from my Doctor. When I returned this past year I encountered mental problems that were out of my control.
Throughout the year of studies I encountered deep depressive episodes that severely impacted and halted my studies. The year started well until around mid to late October as I started to slip down into depression being effected year long. As this happened I remained in a struggle as I was in a cycle of falling farther into the depression where my lack of class attendence would add to my issues with self-worth which made me isolate myself and miss classes which created a loop I was stuck in. The effects of the depression were compounded by the fact that during this time my Father entered the hospital unexpectedly in January and my Sister had recently given birth; both of which were significantly adding to the mental stress I was under. During this depression I isolated myself for as much as I could avoiding people in general and was unable to get help at the time. This isolation would lead to the depression worsening as the year progressed and I was missing my classes and projects.
In mid-April I felt well enough to reach out to the counselling help available at Queen¿¿s which proved to be a large help. I have continued to seek counselling at home as well as planning to see my Doctor to learn about different medication options I can look into at this point. With this support I have been working very hard at building an academic plan that would greatly assist me in achieving academic success if my appeal is granted.
My name is Eric Irwin (10112961) and I am appealing the Faculty¿¿s decision that I must withdraw from Queen¿¿s University for a minimum of three years as I encountered extenuating circumstances beyond my control. During my first year at Queen¿¿s I experienced challenges with mental stress as well as depression and was unable to achieve success and was issued a requirement to withdraw for a year. At the time I decided to take that year to learn about what I faced and start to address it by seeking counselling and assistance from my Doctor. When I returned this past year I encountered mental problems that were out of my control.
Throughout the year of studies I encountered deep depressive episodes that severely impacted and halted my studies. The year started well until around mid to late October as I started to slip down into depression being effected year long. As this happened I remained in a struggle as I was in a cycle of falling farther into the depression where my lack of class attendence would add to my issues with self-worth which made me isolate myself and miss classes which created a loop I was stuck in. The effects of the depression were compounded by the fact that during this time my Father entered the hospital unexpectedly in January and my Sister had recently given birth; both of which were significantly adding to the mental stress I was under. During this depression I isolated myself for as much as I could avoiding people in general and was unable to get help at the time. This isolation would lead to the depression worsening as the year progressed and I was missing my classes and projects.
In mid-April I felt well enough to reach out to the counselling help available at Queen¿¿s which proved to be a large help. I have continued to seek counselling at home as well as planning to see my Doctor to learn about different medication options I can look into at this point. With this support I have been working very hard at building an academic plan that would greatly assist me in achieving academic success if my appeal is granted.