Australia’s International Students Face Mental Health Struggles

international student mental health problem
An international student sits alone on campus. Image: Unsplash: All Rights Reserved.

International students in Australia are facing a significant mental health crisis, with the population now exceeding one million.

A systematic review of 19 studies on international students in Australia reported anxiety rates ranged from 2.4% to 43%, while depression was found in 3.6% to 38.3% of students. Psychological distress was reported by 31.6% to 54% of participants. Meanwhile, 5% to 18% of international students had suicidal thoughts, and 1.2% to 2.2% attempted suicide.

However, only 17% of international students had accessed a mental health service, compared to 55% of domestic students.

Only 17% of international students had accessed a mental health service.
Only 17% of international students had accessed a mental health service. Picture From Qi Zhang: All Rights Reserved.

 

Why are international students struggling?

Street interview about international students’ mental health. Video From: YouTube: Doris YU: All Rights Reserved.

Harry is from China. He studied medicine at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University of Sydney (USYD), and now works at a hospital in Sydney after graduating in 2023.

He sees financial stress, academic pressure, housing issues, and language barriers as key reasons for mental health problems among international students.

“We’re here alone, far from family support,” he adds. “Back when we were in school, many of my friends faced depression, anxiety, or loneliness.”

Just like Harry observed, the causes behind international students’ mental health issues are complex.

Culture Shock

Many international students experience culture shock.

While domestic students face stressors in tertiary education, international students face the additional pressures of transition and integration. Unfamiliar academic environment, English language challenges, and different teacher–student dynamics often contribute to anxiety, as they try to find a balance between adjustments to the new culture while maintaining connectivity with their home culture.

Multiple Stress

International students face triple pressures from visa, academic, and financial challenges, and almost 1 in 3 experience stress often or always.

Leading causes of stress for international students. Pticture From: Allianz: All Rights Reserved.
Leading causes of stress for international students. Picture From: Allianz: All Rights Reserved.

Amy is from Vietnam and currently studying business at USYD. She is experiencing a mental health crisis.

“I have experienced stress and anxiety,” she said. After changing major, she has undergone a heavier course load with particularly challenging subjects. At the same time, she works 20 to 24 hours a week to cover her living expenses.

“Balancing both responsibilities has been overwhelming,” she added. “Both mentally and physically.”

Loneliness and Insecurity

International students often struggle with loneliness and a low sense of belonging, with 60% to 65% reporting feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Yifei, also from China, is currently studying psychology at USYD. She has experienced anxiety.

She said, “I don’t have many friends here in real life, so I can only talk to my online friends. I feel extremely anxious because I am so lonely.”

She added, “I don’t express myself much or actively seek help. I want to be noticed, but I don’t know how. I think a lot of students are just like me.”

Additionally, racism or discrimination has further compounded this sense of alienation and insecurity. Up to 50% of international students have experienced discrimination and safety problems.

Up to 50% of international students have experienced discrimination and safety problems
Up to 50% of international students have experienced discrimination and safety problems. Photo From: Freepik: All Rights Reserved.

 

What stops international students from seeking help?

International students are significantly less likely to access university counseling services, but why?

Language Barrier

The language barrier is a major reason.

Students may find it hard to express emotions or mental states in English. For example, the differences between the terms “stress,” “anxiety,” and “depression” may be difficult to articulate for a non-native speaker.

Yifei feels the same. She believes that it would be more comfortable to speak in one’s native language when facing mental health problems.

When asked what advice she would give to international students going through a mental health crisis, she said: “Please hang in there until the holidays, then you can go home and see a therapist.”

Stigma

In some cultures, mental health remains a taboo topic.

Some students worry that admitting to mental health issues could affect their academic record or visa status.

At the same time, some students think that mental health services are “only for mentally ill students.” Others recognize their symptoms as fatigue or feeling unwell.

Amy said she has noticed that the university actively promotes mental well-being and encourages students to take care of their mental health. However, she has not used any of the available mental health services. She said, “It hasn’t crossed my mind to seek support before, which is why I haven’t taken that step yet.”

Unawareness

Some students don’t even know that their university offers counseling services, or don’t know how to access them.

Harry had once experienced anxiety as a student, but he usually coped with it by playing video games. He said, “If I had known that the university provided professional mental health services, I probably would’ve sought help from a psychologist.”

 

How Should Support Look?

Research has found that Australian universities do not provide sufficient support for international students. Only three publicly available mental health strategies across Australia’s 40 universities contained substantial references to international students.

international students mental health
Mental Health Center in USYD. Photo From: USYD: All Rights Reserved.

Harry also believes that mental health support for international students is generally lacking: “The university never promoted its mental health services, so many international students didn’t even know they existed.”

In the interview, Amy offered some suggestions for how universities could better support international students’ mental health.

She said, “Universities could do more by offering tailored mental health support specifically for international students, such as culturally sensitive counseling, language support, and workshops that address the unique challenges of studying abroad.”

Furthermore, based on surveys with students, here are some other suggestions for universities:

  • Improve Access to Mental Health Services

Universities should expand the availability of counseling services and ensure there are enough sessions and students can book appointments easily.

Besides, they should also offer more services tailored to international students, e.g., workshops, consultations or psychology services.

  • Raise Awareness and Visibility

Researchers suggest that universities often provide too much information too early, which students are unlikely to retain.

Therefore, mental health resources must be better publicized through ongoing and campus-wide programs throughout the semester.

  • Addressing Stigma Around Mental Health

Universities should actively reduce the stigma around mental illness and emotional struggles through more public-facing events.

  • Foster Social Belonging and Peer Connection

Universities should help international students connect with others outside of class and build friendships, especially with domestic students.

  • Design Inclusive Learning Environments

Smaller and more stable tutorial groups, along with more collaborative learning, can foster a stronger sense of community and belonging.

In conclusion, if universities truly want to support international students’ mental health and well-being, they must move beyond reactive measures and adopt a proactive, culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and actively promoted approach instead of just listing it on the website and O’week flyer.

 

Do you think universities in Australia provide enough support for international students?
About qzha0312 3 Articles
My name is Qi, and you can call me Jade. I'm doing Media Practice in USYD.

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