College students are feeling more stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed than just a few months ago, according to a survey by TimelyCare. In November 2024, the survey of 1,200 college-age students found that a whopping 71 percent are struggling with mental health challenges, an increase from 65 percent of students surveyed in July.

Student participants reported that their biggest stressors were financial pressures. Thirty-five percent lamented the cost of living, while 29 percent expressed worry about student loan debt. LGBTQ+ students reported even higher levels of stress and depression (88%) compared to their heterosexual peers (66%). Experts evaluating these results stress the need for proactive, inclusive mental health services to help students stay on track and succeed.

Poor mental health and stress are common reasons students fail to progress academically. If you are a student facing probation or dismissal because you have failed to progress academically due to mental health struggles, seek the experienced legal counsel of Lento Law Firm immediately.

The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has years of experience advising and helping students face college administrative panels and working hard to protect their rights, reputations, and futures. We want to help you, too. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today or contact us online.

How Stress Can Impact Academic Progression

Scientific research consistently shows that stress and mental health struggles are linked to poor academic performance. When students are overwhelmed with anxiety, financial worries, or personal struggles, they have difficulty focusing, concentrating, focusing on tasks, or retaining information. Naturally, such cognitive deficits can lead to grade slippage.

Stress also frequently leads to sleep deprivation, which further compounds the problem for students. Being unable to sleep at night increases daytime sleepiness and impairs brain function. This can kick off a vicious cycle: when students are tired during the day, they have more trouble absorbing the material presented in class. If they fall behind, they are more likely to start procrastinating and missing deadlines, which stresses them out further and leads to more sleep deprivation. Unless the stress is addressed, their grades can continue to fall, leading to academic failure.

Mental Health Defenses to Potential Academic Dismissal

If mental health challenges have put you at risk of academic probation or dismissal, the good news is that you may have options. Federal law requires colleges to enforce Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies, but it also allows schools to grant exceptions for special circumstances, including mental health struggles.

Colleges have a legal and ethical duty to support student well-being. Many institutions allow administrators to modify academic requirements when students face significant personal crises. If your mental health has impacted your academic performance, seeking a professional diagnosis and treatment can be an essential step in your appeal. Proper documentation of your condition can strengthen your case for academic relief.

The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team Can Help

If you're suffering from mental distress and struggling academically, don't assume dismissal is your only option. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help evaluate your situation, help you understand your rights, and work with you to prepare a robust mental health defense for your school hearing or dismissal appeal. We have represented countless students suffering from mental health issues at colleges and universities nationwide. We want to help you, too. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or reach out online for an appointment.