4 minute read
Anxiety Abroad
FSU International Programs offers resources to study abroad students struggling with mental health issues
By Allison Notari
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Most 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 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.
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.
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 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.”
Students who struggle with emotional and psychological stress while studying abroad can find resources through FSU.
— a 2018 student
The anxiety she suffered persisted, but she was able to manage it by surrounding herself with the right friends. “One of my roommates told me that sometimes you just need encouragement from your friends to get out there,” she says.
However, had she neglected to take care of herself and had these issues grown worse, she would have been able to rely on resources similar to those students can receive in Tallahassee.
For one thing, students at the Valencia study center have the option to see a therapist, which is covered by CISI.
Maria Sierra, who works in the Student Services Office at FSU Valencia, acts as an intermediary between students and the therapist, setting up appointments for students who request it. Moreover, the therapist used by Valencia students conducts sessions in English, eliminating the need for a translator.
Checking in on students who may be displaying behaviors indicative of mental health issues can be difficult without offending them or stepping on toes. However, in Sierra’s experience, students are generally very receptive when approached and recommended to see the counselor.
“I think that all of the students are pretty open to therapy,” Sierrasays. “I mean when you use the word ‘psychology,’ or ‘psychiatric,’ instead of ‘therapy,’ or ‘counselor,’ they are pretty much open.”
Understandably, students and parents will be worried about mental health when students are preparing to leave home for an extended time. For this reason, students with ongoing mental health issues are encouraged to speak with their doctor and family before departing and come up with a plan should the student face any of these issues while abroad.
Another component to look at ahead of time is medication.
Many medications are not legally prescribed or available outside of the U.S., so students taking any medications should secure a vacation prescription with their doctor before leaving the country.
Blenman and her team recommend discussing medication with mental health providers and insurers while still at home, so students can avoid running out of medications while abroad. However, if students do run into difficulties with this, FSU International Programs can put them in touch with CISI, who can help facilitate the process.
Students with recurring mental health concerns may be worried about studying abroad, but they can prepare as best as possible before leaving the country.
Blenman says.
Studying abroad can be life changing, although mental health issues can arise for anyone during the trip. Yet, with proper planning and self-care while away from home, students who manage these issues daily can still take advantage of this transformative opportunity.
