International students and mental health

Students face a huge number of challenges when leaving home and accepting a place at a further or higher education institution, particularly with regards to making friends and being more independent. For many students these challenges may bring about feelings of stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. International students, in particular, may struggle with a number of these issues because for them the transition is even greater.

Common reasons for poor mental health in international students

Family and friends (a person’s support network) are further away.
Immersed in cultures and values very different to those of their home country.
They may struggle to express themselves fully in more casual settings, making it more difficult to make friends.
Their families may have sacrificed a lot to send them to a UK education institution and they may therefore feel under immense pressure to perform.
They may feel unsure how to seek help for mental health issues in the UK and may worry about expressing themselves fully in another language.

Support for international students

Universities and colleges are aware of the challenges faced by international students and many provide free support which may be enough to get you feeling better about things. However the number of sessions and the level of support provided can vary throughout the UK, and sometimes students need additional wellbeing support. A recent study also found that many students feel uncomfortable seeking help from their educational institution.

If you would like to speak to someone who is independent of your educational institution and who can work with you on a self-referred basis for as many sessions as you need, we can help.

Benefits of therapy sessions at First Psychology

Available during term-time and during the holidays
In person and online sessions available
A range of therapy types to meet your individual needs and preferences
Fully qualified and experienced practitioners
Practitioners who offer therapy in a number of languages
Ability to make payments online, enabling family members in other countries to pay for therapy sessions