Common mental health problems among international students and when to seek help
1. The most common sources of psychological distress among international students In university outpatient clinics, many international students come for help only after they are under increasing pressure. Common stressors include: - Cross-cultural adaptation and loneliness - Academic and visa requirements - Family expectations and career anxiety - Sleep disturbances, dietary changes and chronic fatigue
Many students have symptoms of anxiety or depression in the early stages, but delay seeking medical treatment due to lack of information, feelings of shame, or the idea of "just holding on".
2. Why are you delaying seeking help? Delayed help-seeking often occurs in the following situations: - Anxiety and depression themselves lead to procrastination and avoidance; - Thinking that "it's just stress, not a problem"; - Worry about being labeled or misunderstood; - Worry about impact on studies, visa or family relationships.
But delays often spread problems to sleep, learning productivity, relationships and daily functioning.
3. When should you seek professional support as soon as possible? When any of the following situations occur, it is recommended to make an appointment with a GP or psychological professional as soon as possible: - Feeling depressed, anxious or irritable for more than two weeks; - Insomnia, changes in appetite, and significant decrease in concentration; - Sustained impairment in academic and daily functioning; - Obvious feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm.
The sooner you intervene, the faster and less expensive the recovery is usually.
4. What should parents do if they don’t understand? Many East Asian families are still conservative about mental health issues. As an adult, you can start by building a support system for yourself within a compliance and confidentiality framework: - Establish a stable relationship with GP/consultant first; - Use Chinese resources to explain to family members when necessary; - Do not stop taking medication or interrupt treatment due to external pressure; - Continuously evaluate and adjust the plan through follow-up visits.
5. Available support resources (Australia) - University Counseling and Student Support Center - GP and Mental Health Care Plan pathways - Community cultural support organizations and peer networks - 24-hour crisis hotline: Lifeline 13 11 14 (in emergencies call 000)
Author information Dr Andrew Sun Dr. Sun Ande (translated name)