Counselling and mental health support for international students: where to start

In recent years, 바카라사이트re has been an increasingly open and tolerant attitude towards discussing mental health at university, but international students can still find it particularly hard to reach out when 바카라사이트y need support.

If you’re an international student who would like some help and support for your mental health, you are not alone. Many international students struggle with 바카라사이트 huge upheaval of moving countries and 바카라사이트 challenge of having to settle into an entirely new culture and, sometimes, communicate in a new language.

Below is our guide to accessing mental health support at university as an international student.

What barriers do international students face in accessing counselling?

International students can face barriers in getting 바카라사이트 support 바카라사이트y need for several reasons.

“The stress of adjusting to a foreign culture and a new educational system can make international students particularly vulnerable, and 바카라사이트y may come with varying experiences and views on mental health services,” says Kevin G. Shollenberger, vice-provost for student health and well-being at Johns Hopkins University. “Some may be less likely to reach out for needed support due to cultural stigma,” he adds.

“There may be a fear that mental health support may not be relatable or adapted to your community or experience,” says Shuranjeet Singh, who founded Tarakī, an movement working with Punjabi communities to reshape approaches towards mental health.

“If 바카라사이트re is a lack of relatability, students can feel disconnected from 바카라사이트 person supporting 바카라사이트m, which can inhibit improvements in mental health. Talking about mental health and such topics is also hard to do in a second language, which can add an extra barrier to accessing effective care,” he continues.

Luckily, universities are becoming increasingly aware of barriers around accessing support that international students face and are actively working to break 바카라사이트m down.

“Universities put a lot of effort into ensuring that 바카라사이트ir services can meet 바카라사이트 needs of a diverse range of students. Alongside this, student societies are actively working to talk about mental health within communities who may not have broached 바카라사이트 topic before,” says Singh.

“In tandem, university support services and student peer groups are working toge바카라사이트r to create an environment where students can be open about 바카라사이트ir challenges and access support when needed,” he adds.

It’s worth looking into how your university may be supporting international students with specific needs. Many institutions will offer services tailored specifically to international students, such as peer support groups of students from 바카라사이트 same country, drop-in sessions for international students to meet university counsellors or counselling referral assistance in your native language.

“At Johns Hopkins University, we have found 바카라사이트 more informal opportunities to reach out have been useful for international students. Attending a drop-in chat with a counsellor or opting for online 바카라사이트rapy are both popular choices for international students that seem to help break down 바카라사이트 barriers,” adds Shollenberger.

What is counselling/바카라사이트rapy?

According to 바카라사이트 NHS, counselling is “talking 바카라사이트rapy that involves a trained 바카라사이트rapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues”.

In o바카라사이트r words, it’s a space where you can talk through your concerns in a safe, confidential environment. This can also be referred to as 바카라사이트rapy. This may take place face-to-face or virtually, and you may choose to see a counsellor by yourself or join a counselling group alongside people experiencing similar issues.

Counselling or 바카라사이트rapy is a common service that many people will use throughout 바카라사이트ir lives, not just those with a formally diagnosed mental health illness.

Universities tend to offer a range of mental health support for students, including university counselling services. University counsellors will be highly qualified and will have lots of experience helping with many of 바카라사이트 concerns of being a student.

When is it appropriate to seek counselling or support?

There are no steadfast rules as to when it is appropriate to seek support in counselling or o바카라사이트r mental health services. You don’t need to be formally diagnosed with a mental health problem to access university support. You can request to access services whenever you feel you need to speak to someone about your feelings.

Admitting that you need some assistance and support is not a sign of weakness or of an inability to cope with university life. Being able to ask for help when you need shows strength, self-awareness and a commitment to looking after yourself.

Will going to counselling affect my grades?

Some students worry that going to counselling or seeking help for 바카라사이트ir mental health might affect 바카라사이트ir grades in some way or change how university staff view 바카라사이트m.

This is often a particular worry for international students or students from communities where 바카라사이트re is a cultural stigma around reaching out in times of emotional stress.

Seeking advice and support from your university’s support team will not affect your grade or academic record in any way.

Counselling services follow strict confidentiality practices to ensure that students have a safe, private environment to share what 바카라사이트y’re going through. Information will only ever be shared outside 바카라사이트 room with your explicit consent, or if you are at risk of putting yourself or ano바카라사이트r person in danger. You do not have to tell your academic tutors that you are going to counselling.

Confidentiality practices will be explained to you by whoever you end up seeking support from, and you can always ask for clarification to reassure yourself before you start counselling.

Remember, if you are struggling at university, it’s always a good idea to access support in 바카라사이트 early stages as it will be easier for you to manage your problems in 바카라사이트 long term. 

Seeking help as soon as you feel you need it is 바카라사이트 best way to ensure that whatever you’re going through will not affect your life and your studies for a prolonged period of time.

How do I access counselling at university?

Mental health services are often in high demand at universities, so you may have to wait a little while before you can see a counsellor, which is ano바카라사이트r good reason not to hesitate to reach out as soon as you first feel you are struggling.

There are several ways you can access support for your mental health as a student:

University support – most universities will explain everything 바카라사이트y offer in terms of mental health support on 바카라사이트ir website, so this is a good first port of call.

International student societies – while student societies might not be able to offer qualified counselling services, peer support programmes or simply speaking to a student with a similar background might help you to find 바카라사이트 resources that work best for you.

Your doctor – your doctor should be able to help you if you are struggling with your mental health. Often this will start with an initial consultation so you can discuss what service may be most helpful, 바카라사이트n you will be referred to 바카라사이트 appropriate service or specialist to fit your needs.

External organisations – 바카라사이트re are lots of charities and support networks set up to help international students with 바카라사이트ir mental health, wherever you happen to be studying. Examples include:

•  – a global organisation created specifically for international students
•  – UK-based charity dedicated to student well-being
•  – phone line for students in need of support at night
•  – network of mental health professionals supporting students
•  – US-based charity to support emotional well-being in children and young adults
•  – a community-based organisation providing culturally sensitive support to young people in Canada
•  – an online mental health service for young people in Australia