Mentioning Mental Health in SOP, Interview

[Gkj _ Speech]

I took some time off after finishing undergrad in 2015, working as an ABA para in a public school and volunteering in a veteran's home. I began applying to grad school last fall, but I found that my mental state made this quite a daunting task, and I never completed my applications. 

Fast forward one year, and I am in a much better place, thanks to counseling (which I didn't have before) and time. I have started applying to schools again. but I feel like I need to explain what I did while not in school, and explain why I didn't apply before. My worry in that admissions committees will look down upon a sentence or two about mental illness.

TL;DR: Would (briefly) mentioning mental health issues in my SOP be a bad idea?

[Auuudriana]

Personally, I wouldn't.

[futureSpeechLP]

I don't think you need to in your SOP. You did the right thing and took care of yourself. If they ask in interviews you can say what you did, but you only need to disclose what you think is necessary. If a school looks down on you for taking care of your mental health, then that school is not the place for you or frankly, anyone else.  

Edited October 25, 2016 by futureSpeechLP

[jpiccolo]

Many people have breaks after undergrad for many reasons. I don't know that it'll be worth mentioning since it really doesn't pertain to how effective a clinician you will be. A year is really not a long time so I doubt they'll be questioning why you're applying now. 

[thespeechblog.com]

Ditto what everyone else said. You've got good relevant experience from that time so I wouldn't sweat it 

[Crimson Wife]

I would absolutely not mention it unless you had to stop working during treatment. And even in that case, I would frame it as needing medical treatment (don't specify the reason and they legally can't ask) and you are healthy now. It's none of their business your personal health information.

[Gkj _ Speech]

Thank you, everyone!