The quandary: Disclosing a mental illness in applications to helping professional academic programs.

Abstract

An increasing number of college students are seeking services for mental health issues. Many of these students may be interested in pursuing graduate studies in a health-related discipline, such as psychology, social work, or medicine, to enhance their economic and personal well-being, as well as contribute to the health of others. However, they may experience a quandary in the course of completing their applications in that they may desire to disclose their mental illness as a driving motivation to pursue that field, or out of pride in their resilience in the face of such challenges, or feel obligated to disclose, but are unsure about whether such a disclosure will impact the likelihood of their being admitted to their desired program and discipline. This article reviews the current research literature about disclosure on applications, and especially in personal statements, across disciplines. Overall, while few studies have been conducted in this area, and some of them being quite old, the evidence consistently suggests that disclosing a mental illness on applications is considered by admissions committees, may be viewed unfavorably, and may diminish one's chances of getting admitted, even for strong applicants. The implications of these findings for applicants are discussed, including a call for caution when making a decision about disclosure, as well as implications for admissions' committees when reviewing such applications to avoid bias, and potential legal liability, as well as how they can demonstrate the values of the field in welcoming and embracing such applicants.

Stigmatizing our own: Self-relevant research (Me-search) is common but frowned upon in clinical psychological science

“…Overall, disclosure of SRR (i.e., confiding a personal connection to one's research) was viewed as more inappropriate than disclosure of non-SRR (i.e., disclosing a non-personal reason for pursuing research) across respondents; these views did not differ based on personal engagement in SRR, perhaps due to internalized beliefs about disclosure appropriateness drawn from implicit and explicit norms within the field. These findings accord with the idea that the field is split, with some perspectives discouraging SRR disclosure (e.g., "Mitch's Uncensored Guide...";Prinstein et al, 2017) and others encouraging it (Devendorf, 2020b;Salzer, 2021;Victor et al, 2020). Disclosure of SRR thus likely varies by context, domain of research, and other aspects of one's identity and position within the field (Salzer, 2021;Rüsch, N., & Kösters, 2021).…”

“…These findings accord with the idea that the field is split, with some perspectives discouraging SRR disclosure (e.g., "Mitch's Uncensored Guide...";Prinstein et al, 2017) and others encouraging it (Devendorf, 2020b;Salzer, 2021;Victor et al, 2020). Disclosure of SRR thus likely varies by context, domain of research, and other aspects of one's identity and position within the field (Salzer, 2021;Rüsch, N., & Kösters, 2021). Similarly, these data suggest that acceptance of SRR within clinical, counseling, and school psychology also varies by topic.…”

“…Supporting this warning, a recent review concluded that disclosing one's mental illness on graduate applications may diminish one's chances of getting admitted -even for strong applicants -across mental health professions (Salzer, 2021). A survey of 457 psychology graduate programs identified SRR as one "kiss of death" in the admissions process to justify why applicants are rejected (Appleby & Appleby, 2006).…”

Leveraging the Strengths of Psychologists with Lived Experience of Psychopathology

“…Recommendation 4: Establish clear differentiation between assessment of professional impairment and unfounded judgments regarding lived experience of psychopathology as it relates to suitability for education or employment. Disclosure of psychopathology is often treated as a "red flag" in graduate admissions (Salzer, 2021). We reject this assertion and practice, as it violates federal protections regarding educational and occupational selection on the basis of disability (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act).…”

Leveraging the Strengths of Psychologists With Lived Experience of Psychopathology

“…Disclosure of psychopathology is often treated as a "red flag" in graduate admissions (Salzer, 2021). This violates federal protections regarding educational and occupational selection on the basis of disability (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act).…”