1) St. Olaf College Counseling Center will provide documentation for study away/abroad
agencies and/or will consult with the Smith Center regarding student mental health if/when
clinically indicated and after the student has signed a release of information. A release of
information is required to be signed if a student is requesting documentation and/or for a
counselor to consult with the Smith Center. A release of information for the Smith Center will
be required if needing documentation to support a leave from your program prior to its end
date, it is your responsibility to reach out to the Smith Center and to follow policy guidelines of
the study abroad/away host university or program for early departures due to mental health.
2) Documentation for preparation to study abroad/away or taking a leave from an abroad/away
program due to mental distress is provided in the context of an on-going, working relationship
with a counselor. Students requesting documentation must be actively engaged in counseling
and working toward goals outlined with their counselor, which includes practicing skills
discussed in session outside of session. The amount of sessions it takes to gather all relevant
information to provide adequate documentation is at the discretion of the counselor. We do
not provide documentation for students in the first session.
3) Counselors asked to provide documentation will ask the student requesting documentation
to complete at least two questionnaires that measure symptoms severity, frequency, intensity,
duration, and functional impact. The counselor may add additional questionnaires as needed to
clarify diagnosis and the impact of mental health concerns on functioning.
4) Documentation from the Counseling Center does not guarantee accommodations or changes
will be granted to student’s study away/abroad application or withdrawal process.