Mental health disabilities may include conditions such as depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and dissociative disorder, among others.  A diagnosis must be made by a licensed mental health professional, such as a clinical social worker, a professional counselor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a neurologist.  Documentation must include the professional’s license number.  The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

Recommended documentation includes:

A clear statement of the disability, including the DSM-V diagnosis and a summary of present symptoms.

Documentation for eligibility must reflect the current impact the psychiatric/psychological disability has on the student’s functioning (the age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, the current status of the student, and the student’s request for accommodations).

A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis, including evaluation results and standardized scores if applicable.

Medical information relating to the student’s needs, including the impact of medication on the student’s ability to meet the demands of the post-secondary environment.

A statement of the functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activities, and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are requested. Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated.