The Worst Consideration for Mental Health
Hi Everyone,
I was a student at Deakin University in 2023-2024 and during this period straight after high-school was hospitalised several times.
During the period of hospitalisation my laptop was taken away from me as well as other devices under the Mental Health Act, which meant I could only use the device a few hours a week UNDER SUPERVISION of a TEACHER, who were not always available at the hospital - or didn’t specialise in the subject which meant I was not “allowed” to study that subject for the day because they didn’t understand the mental impact it would have on myself.
I had completed two subjects during this period and failed one. I barely scraped by the others.
The one I had failed was due to the fact the teacher was not experienced in the area; thus they did not know if it was safe for me to complete the work.
I also suffered from severe malnutrition and mental capacity - and was new to University as I was fresh out of high-school, and a first generation student.
I had contacted Deakin in 2025 to request a review of my mark however, Deakin has a specific policy where you must request remission of debt first before you can even be considered to have a grade withdrawn.
My first application was rejected as the situation was supposedly not out of my control and my documentation did not align with the dates - despite providing further documentation on my second application (which was in line with the dates) it was still rejected and thus, the outcome was final.
This meant I was unable to request a revision of my grade due to extreme circumstances simply because my first date did not align (it was inconsistent) - I also had no idea what I was doing.
And my second application was rejected, again for the same reason. Which meant the decision was final.
I had several letters from my GP and the hospital, as well as a summary of how significantly impaired I was and EVERY single hospital admission I had experienced. In which perfectly aligned with the dates needed to miss withdrawal dates, also - this was the last thing I was thinking about considering I barely had the capacity to think for myself.
I have been directed to literally every single department with everyone saying the outcome is final because it was rejected by the remission of debt team, in which is not even what I was initially seeking.
I have had no one acknowledge the severity of my issue or the impact it has had on my mental health.
Deakin has absolutely no respect for students mental health and I have seen this time and time again. I am now a student at Monash University and I am certain if I was to approach them with an issue like this: in which I have in the past, they would assist me immediately.
Although I understand that people experience these things with other universities. I have never heard of it not being solved once this much documentation was received.
I was hoping to request if anyone had any advice on how I can further escalate this and also warn anyone with significant health or mental health issues, to be weary of applying to this school as they will not even consider trying to understand you.
I know this may seem long-winded and silly, but given my future aspirations and postgraduate applications approaching, my GPA will be significantly impacted by this failure mark - I have also worked so incredibly hard as many will understand to not be a victim of my mental health or circumstances and despite my emotions, try every day to actually be a better version of myself.
I have now recovered from anorexia nervosa which is incredibly difficult and would love if any other student experiencing something similar - with this university or another could please reach out to me.
Thank you!