February 25, 2023

Tailor Mental Healthcare to Tackle International Student Needs, says Orygen

M Mental health services in Australian universities have significantly improved over the years, with many institutions now offering a variety of services such as counselling, therapy, and mental health education programmes. It is important to note, however, that these services are not always tailored to meet the specific cultural needs of international students, who face unique challenges that can have an impact on their mental well-being.

Adapting to a new culture and environment, homesickness, language barriers, financial stress, and academic pressure are all possible challenges. Unfortunately, cultural stigma and shame can make seeking help for mental health issues difficult for many international students.

In January, the University of Melbourne and Orygen published research indicating that international student suicides will continue unless more tailored mental healthcare is implemented.

To address this issue, Orygen, a leading mental health charity based in Victoria, has proposed tailoring mental health services in Australian universities in order to increase service engagement among international students, despite the fact that most educational institutions already provide some form of mental health support.

…ultimately, what we need are readily available services and programs that can meet students where they are and provide them with the support that they need in that moment...

According to Samuel McKay, a research fellow in suicide prevention at Orygen, although their recent research did not uncover any evidence-based suicide prevention programs available globally, they did find that many educators and peak bodies engage in diverse activities.

“In combination, what the current evidence shows us is that institutions want to do something about this issue, but in practice, the current approaches are piecemeal, lack adequate and sustained resourcing and don’t seem to be quite hitting the mark. Ultimately, what we need are readily available services and programs that can meet students where they are and provide them with the support that they need in that moment. These needs are diverse and often related to the different mental health challenges international students face,” he added.

Expressing parallel concerns, Phil Honeywood, the Chief Executive of the International Education Association of Australia, informed the media that Australia, like many other countries that attract students, lacks a sufficient number of mental health counsellors trained to provide inter-culturally sensitive care.

In order to effectively address the mental health needs of international student communities, it is crucial to tailor mental health services to meet their cultural needs. This can be achieved by providing culturally competent care, which allows mental health professionals to offer effective and appropriate services to individuals from all backgrounds. By doing so, disparities in mental health outcomes can be reduced and the overall well-being of these communities can be improved.

In addition to providing culturally competent care, experts recommend that universities and schools should establish support frameworks that are suitable for both domestic and international students.

These institutions should continue building on the good work that has already been done to ensure that students have access to the best possible support. By providing a range of services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of international students, such as language support and culturally appropriate treatment approaches, these institutions can help to promote positive mental health outcomes and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

Posted in News and tagged News, Mental Health, Australia, International Students, University of Melbourne, Orygen
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