In a high-pressure school environment, group projects can be a source of stress and frustration. One student found themselves in the middle of a heated situation when their classmate, who was struggling with mental health issues, failed to contribute to a crucial project. The protagonist had to make a tough decision, but was it the right one? ♀️ Let’s dive into the story.
The High-Stakes Project

Group Evaluation Matters

The Problematic Classmate

Missing Meetings ⏰

Unmet Responsibilities

Late and Sloppy Work

Group’s Frustration

A Desperate Plea

The Cold Response ❄️

The Tough Decision: Right or Wrong?
Faced with a classmate who failed to contribute to a crucial group project, our protagonist was forced to make a decision. Despite the classmate’s plea that they were struggling with mental health issues, the protagonist stood firm, giving them a zero on the group evaluation. But was this the right choice? Should they have shown more compassion, or was it justified to hold the classmate accountable for their lack of effort? Let’s see what people have to say about this situation…
Taking responsibility for others’ work? Not your problem. NTA

Setting boundaries and holding accountable, NTA

Fair judgment or harsh criticism? NTA sparks debate.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/84a7b7d5-e1ce-4cce-9dd1-d3294f01e906.png)
Overcoming mental health struggles in uni, NTA.

Prioritizing mental health is important, but not at others’ expense.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/73d69d98-921f-4daa-891e-1f0cf3711dd5.png)
Student with mental health issues not accommodated in group project. NTA.

Former teacher empathizes with student and blames school system.

Compassionate yet firm response to group project dilemma ❤

NTA offers helpful advice for struggling student, encourages seeking accommodations.

Honesty is the best policy . Don’t carry others’ burden.

Not the a**hole for not taking responsibility for struggling teammate
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/8fc9c805-952e-41e2-ad83-4c6c8ab6d26b.png)
Group project gone wrong, but NTA for doing all work.

Student marked classmate zero, but apologized. NTA.

Fairly rating a disabled classmate zero, NTA explains with empathy.

Collaboration requires equal effort and responsibility
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/5bb1e2d6-0b8c-4f13-92ea-c321c2027576.png)
Overcoming depression to do group work, NTA

NTA. Communication is key in group projects. ️

Mental health or laziness? NTA stands firm.

Student with mental illness defends marking classmate zero in project.

Professor confirms NTA’s stance on grading absent work

Compassion vs enablement in group projects. NTA for marking zero.

Excuses or real depression? The debate continues in the comments.

Questioning if students with mental issues should be in advanced classes
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/5197c16e-c1c7-4bbb-adbd-770a0c2dfc50.png)
Be understanding of mental health struggles

Group project nightmare – member disappears and doesn’t contribute. NTA

Making no effort and not explaining mental illness is unacceptable. NTA.

Prioritizing mental health in group projects: NTA for setting boundaries

NTA for marking zero due to lack of communication
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/1c20c00e-5a78-4561-8f5a-f22c408210a6.png)
Thesis partner self-diagnosed depression, OP finished without her. YTA?

NTA calls out classmate’s lazy excuse for group project.

Group projects in school can be anxiety-filled and unfair

Navigating group projects with difficult colleagues can be a nightmare
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/554c2236-4a45-4d7e-b601-cce50034fbd5.png)
Objectively present evidence to grading authorities. NTA

Fair point, communication is key in group projects

Controversial comment on mental illness in school/work context.

NTA. Using mental health as an excuse is not okay

Overcoming mental health struggles to fulfill responsibilities
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/20a16e10-7faa-4b80-9e48-17ba5c6b5ca4.png)
Fair judgment or harsh grading? NTA explains their reasoning.

ADHD and depression not an excuse for lack of accountability. NTA

Communicating mental health issues ahead of time is important. NTA

Honesty is the best policy . Providing support is important

Communication is key. NTA for holding them accountable.

Group mate shows up late, does nothing, gets what he deserves

Don’t let others take advantage of you in group projects

Marking someone zero for not doing their part? YTA.

NTA. Prioritizing mental health is important, but communication is key.

Communicating with group mates is key to successful projects. NTA.

Honesty is key in evaluating employees

Encouraging response to a classmate’s group project dilemma

NTA- Communication is key in group projects

Prioritizing mental health over school work is not a pass

Responsibility for mitigation lies with individual, not group. NTA

NTA. Anxiety and depression aren’t excuses to not communicate with teacher

Taking responsibility or making excuses? NTA comment defends choice.

Taking responsibility for your mental health isn’t easy

Being responsible and communicating with the teacher is important

Setting boundaries and involving authority when group members slack off.

Mental health struggles don’t make you the a**hole. NTA

Setting boundaries and holding accountable, NTA

Taking responsibility for mental health and communication is important. NTA

Encouraging empathy and understanding towards mental health struggles

Taking responsibility for mental health and schoolwork

Standing up for oneself and holding others accountable. NTA

Not responsible for someone’s mental health

Compassionate comment praises student for advocating for classmate’s needs.

Student defends marking zero in group project due to mental illness.

Standing up for yourself in group projects

Taking responsibility for mental health and not using it as an excuse

Sympathy for mental illness, but no excuse for lack of effort

Group project member causes late penalty, gets marked zero. NTA.

NTA for giving a zero to a groupmate. Good lesson taught

Zero tolerance for slackers

NTA and a bad grade may trigger mental health problems

NTA. Fairly rating group projects is important to prevent cheating

Mental health struggles don’t excuse poor behavior in group projects

Senior student defends marking classmate zero in group project.

Cutting out a group member can be tough but sometimes necessary
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/1cbec3bb-e8f1-4e0e-9879-c9afdb75b6da.png)
Consideration for IEPs in group projects.

NTA. Commenter calls out entitled behavior in group projects.

Classmate with severe depression gets zero in group project
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/b8e905fa-cebb-463e-b994-a83f529906e1.png)
Teacher defends group project marking, advises communication for accommodations.

Respecting someone’s identity doesn’t excuse poor work.
