How I Became a Peace Corps Volunteer Despite Being Medically Not-Cleared for Mental Health 

Thank you for watching! I really hope you’re able to appeal their decision! I wish you the best of luck!

I’m sure your tenacity will pull you through as it’s done in all your past travels and your previous service! 👏best of luck!!

This is amazing! Yes, don’t give up! 👏

I'm so glad that you found some inspiration and more insight into the process. That is so exciting that you got invited! Wishing you the best of luck with finishing school and also though the medical clearance process. Definitely reach out if you have any questions as you're checking off the boxes!

You are so right, knowing when to seek help and having experience with therapy should be something PC covets when looking for new volunteers. That’s amazing to hear that you were granted clearance! Congratulations! I hope you have a wonderful service!

Yes, so true! I hope you are able to appeal your case! 🙏

Im so sorry you were denied! I really hope your appeal goes through! 👏 fee free reach out if you have any questions during the process!

Of course! I’m so sorry you’re having to go through that. I am glad this could be helpful to you! Definitely reach out if you need any help during the process or even just someone to vent to. Best of luck! I hope you are able to appeal the decision!

Hi, were you able to appeal succesfully?

Wow, 5 years of “stability” is ridiculous. I am hoping you will be accepted or at the least, win an appeal if necessary. It would be such a shame for them to take that opportunity away from you. Best of luck!

Were you accepted?

I hope you are cleared!!! 🙏

Oh man, I’m sorry you had to do that. It’s sad that we have to jump through hoops and/or lie on our applications to be able to serve.

I'm partially convinced I would have an easier time joining the military at this point.

Wow, I had no idea the process was so similar!

I’m so sorry for the late reply. I’m glad this was helpful and I hope your application process went smoothly! Best of luck! ❤️

I hope everything turns out for you!

Ann Kristin Wright thank you so much for watching! There have been many challenges in service. The learning of the language is probably the biggest factor that created challenges in all areas of my service from social to work to home life. It was really discouraging at first. However, around the 6-8 month mark, i began spending a lot of time immersing myself in it and the rewards we ten fold. I found that it instantly helped me and once my language fell into place, everything else did too. It did so much to help me manage my anxiety as well. Another difficult thing has been dealing with life back home while abroad. It has been hard being away and alone through things like death and sickness in the family. But key to managing that has been self care and making sure to check in with video chats every now and then. Definitely reach out if you have any more questions! Good luck With your medical clearance and congratulations on your invite to Ethiopia! 😍❤️

Ah, that so exciting that you’re in the process but also can be very nerve-wracking. Wishing you the best of luck! Feel free to reach out if you ever have any questions! Do you know where you will be going?

Wow I was supposed to depart in October this year too and now I don't know what they're gonna do with my case.

Hailey, this is a good question. Although it’s hard to say what will specifically harm or help your personal case, one thing I think I would’ve done differently in my own initial personal mental health statement would be to be more vague about the negative aspects of my past experience with mental health struggles. If you feel confident in your ability to serve, I think it’s possible to omit any personal information that may harm your case, unless it absolutely has to be present (for example if your doctor has referenced a particular situation). For example, in my statement, I briefly wrote about a period in my life where I took a break from school due to episodes of anxiety. In retrospect, this most likely harmed my case and did not need to be included. As for biggest stressors, I found that the social dynamics of working with other Americans during training, etc, as well as feelings of disconnection and disassociation that come with a language barrier were the main stressors I encountered in service. Ways I managed those stressors were to rely on a few close friendships I made with other volunteers, and also to study and immerse myself in the language as much as possible. I hope that is helpful and I wish you luck in your application! P.s. I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. Those are always such difficult goodbyes 💙

This is a great question, there’s really no way to know for sure. My initial reaction is that it wouldn’t disqualify you since it was so long ago. However, I have heard from other applicants that had their medical clearance denied for similar reasons. I think sometimes it ultimately depends on the nurses that review your case. But I think it’s worth it to still try to apply if it’s something you have your heart set on. Best of luck 🩵🩵🩵

Sydney, I am sorry you are going through this! You can email me to talk more at jadefletchy@gmail.com 👍

Janet, I’m so sorry I missed your email somehow! It might have gone to my spam folder. Can you try to resend it? It should be jadefletchy@gmail.com

@@channelingchickadee2779 Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!!! I can't tell you how grateful I am. I just sent the email again. My address contains Apollo in it. Hope that helps!

My understanding is that it depends on the post you apply for, the type of medication, the circumstances surrounding your diagnosis, and your history of medicine adjustment. In my case, they saw that I had a medication change in the last year and they saw that I was in therapy. For them, that was grounds to deny me. But I know of a lot of volunteers on different kinds of mental health medications who were approved on their first try.