Photo courtesy of Pexels
Anxiety abroad FSU International Programs offers resources to study abroad students struggling with mental health issues By Allison Notari
M
ost study abroad students know what to do if they suffer a broken leg or get the flu. But the majority of students may not be aware of the resources available if they develop anxiety or fall into a depression while away from home. Traveling to another country, where the language is different and the customs are new, can be intimidating for college students, especially when some are as young as 17 years old. So it is no surprise that many students experience culture shock and feel disoriented during their first few days or weeks in a foreign country. All of these strange new experiences can leave students feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, which can develop into mental health issues that require treatment by a professional. Staff members at International Programs (IP) in Tallahassee and all of FSU’s study centers work with students who experience a mental health issue. Over the past decade, the stigma surrounding mental health has lessened, and students
12 Nomadic Noles // Summer 2018
have felt more comfortable speaking up. Still, statistics show the prevalence of anxiety and depression among college students. The American College Health Association reported in 2017 that more than 60 percent of college students felt overwhelming anxiety within the 12 months prior to the survey, and 39 percent reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function. (The full report can be found here: http://www.acha-ncha.org/ docs/NCHA-II_SPRING_2017_REFERENCE_ GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf) Although these statistics are alarming, resources are available to help students who are struggling, even while they are away from their main campus. FSU International Programs’s insurance provider, Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), covers counseling sessions, and students can attend as many sessions as they need. Some students come to Valencia with previous mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, and may need to continue treatment while away from home. Others develop mental health issues while studying abroad. International Programs and staff members at all FSU study centers work to provide the
best possible care for struggling students, and they understand that a gap in treatment can be detrimental to recovery from mental health issues such as clinical depression. “For all participants, regardless of location, FSU International Programs works closely with CISI to identify English-speaking medical resources, including mental health professionals in the area,” says Louisa Blenman, director of enrollment and program management of International Programs at FSU. “We work with providers and insurers to help students schedule appointments as needed.” A female student who studied at FSU Valencia in 2018 identified large crowds and unfamiliar places as a source of anxiety for her. Due to the nature of the program and the city itself, facing these were inevitable.“You want
“Don’t feel bad when everyone is going out but you’re not feeling up for it. Even though we are here for a short time, there is always time to take care of yourself.” — a 2018 student to try to push yourself further than your comfort zone and need to find a balance of going out and interacting with people,” she says. “But you also need to know when to take care of your mental and physical health.”
