At Gap Year Solutions, we sometimes interview students who are not a fit for a Gap Year program because they are managing certain mental health issues. It is not necessarily a “no go” for Gap Year programs when a student is struggling with their mental health. Students with milder mental health issues can usually fit into the approach of structured Gap Year programs, as long as the student is fully transparent about their condition and treatment plan.
On the other hand, students who truly need ongoing therapy may not be a candidate for a traditional Gap Year program and should look at Therapeutic Programs instead. A program becomes “therapeutic” when there is a therapist and/ or clinical staff working with students. The frequency of therapy, the therapy modality, and the duration of therapy varies based on the presenting issues of each student.
I recently partnered with Joanna Lilley, Founder of Lilley Consulting, to lay out the considerations when families are trying to decide the right path for their student (see full article from IECA Winter 2025 Insights). A number of factors come into play when trying to choose between a Gap Year and Therapeutic program:
- Is the student open about their diagnosis, and committed to full disclosure and candid discussion during a program application process?
- Is the student driving the conversation, or are parents?
- Is there a history of eating disorders, substance use, self-harm/ suicide attempt and a hospitalization?
- Can the student wean off regular therapy appointments before a program starts?
- Are there accessible communication networks (WiFi and cell coverage)?
- Is the student able to wake themselves up in the morning?
- Can the student self-administer medications – what, why, when – by themselves?
- Can the student be flexible and adaptable to surprises and changing circumstances?
- What is the student’s level of social anxiety? Are they willing/ able to make new friends? Or are they socially anxious and terrified to put themselves out there?
- Does the student have adequate communication and social skills, especially with groups?
- Does a particular program have a responsible adult on call, and enough structure and one-on-one mentoring for student’s needs?
There aren’t many Gap Year programs that are truly wellness-based and/ or supportive for students who need a higher level of therapeutic support. In most cases, students with more serious mental health challenges must choose between a true Therapeutic program, and a structured Gap Year program that is willing to accept the student based on their diagnosis and ability to self-manage.
