What issues do international students typically present with at the UNSW Health Service?
Students usually come to the UNSW Health Service as a last resort when they are in an acute crisis due to stresses from a completely new culture, studies, visa requirements, and family and career expectations. Most of the time, the student has a background of untreated, ignored, temporarily treated, or poorly treated anxiety, depression, and/or other medical conditions. Unfortunately, many are directed to see us after spending money on online doctors or agents because they are unaware of university support services.
Most universities offer free or low-cost counselling services, which are essential for managing stress from culture shock, academic pressure, visa rules, and family expectations. Medication, when used, mainly helps reduce symptoms to a manageable level so students can get the most benefit from therapy such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Over time, therapy builds long-term skills and resilience, allowing medication to be tapered off safely.
What are the most common reasons patients delay seeking support?
People often delay seeking help because anxiety and depression themselves cause procrastination. Being busy with study, work, or looking after others also becomes an easy excuse. Many tell themselves it’s temporary or that they can handle it alone, but if that were true, they wouldn’t still be struggling.
Delaying care makes things worse. Mental health issues affect sleep, appetite, performance, relationships, and daily functioning. So early support is far better than waiting for a crisis. Some also delay help due to embarrassment or fear of losing face, but seeking support is a sign of strength, and clinicians are here to get you from worse to better, not to judge.
What advice would you give to students who struggle with mental health issues and are misunderstood by their parents too?
If your parents don’t understand your mental health struggles, you’re not alone. Many students from Asian backgrounds grow up in cultures where mental health is minimised, misunderstood, or seen as “just stress.” You’re in Australia now, and part of becoming an independent adult is taking responsibility for your own well-being.
As an adult, your health decisions are yours, not your parents’. Consultations here are confidential, and no information is shared without your permission unless there is risk of harm to yourself or others. If you want to help your parents understand, you can send them translated Australian mental health resources, but you don’t need their approval to get help.
One important warning: please don’t start or stop medication because a parent says so. They mean well, but managing mental health treatment is the doctor’s job, and stopping medication suddenly is a very common cause of relapse. Always talk to your GP first.
Author Information
Author: Dr Andrew Sun
Author Bio: BMedSc, MSTech(OHS), MBBS, FRACGP, Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy. Consults at UNSW Health Service, GP Maroubra, and Sun Health Clinic.