A Mental Health Guide For International Students
/Written by Zeineb BelHout
UQLS Diversity & Wellbeing Subcommittee Member
Studying at UQ is meant to be an exhilarating experience and a time when you will learn and experience new things, develop skills, meet new people, and find your way as an independent adult. However, this can also be challenging and sometimes lead to stress and anxiety from time to time, which is a normal part of any student's life. It does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with you and that you need to worry. Still, keeping an eye on some of the signs and symptoms below is essential to prevent them from becoming more severe. Seeking help at the right time is critical to ensure issues do not spiral out of control and impact your studies. It is essential to keep yourself safe and healthy during your time overseas. Importantly, do not forget that help is always there, and you can still sort out things.
These are a few common alerting signs that any international student could experience, and should be aware of, along with some helpful support services:
1. Feeling unsocial for no real reason
From time to time, we all feel unsocial, need our space and would rather stay home or have 'me time’ rather than hang out with family and friends. However, if you are actively cancelling plans and meetups with friends, avoiding all kinds of social situations or have lost interest in the hobbies you are usually passionate about, it may be time to seek support.
2. Not eating or sleeping properly
If you find it hard to fall asleep, wake up or lose your appetite without reason, it may be a mental illness symptom. For example, many people with depression have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and might sleep more than usual. Also, people with anxiety often report waking up throughout the night and struggling to get to sleep with so much on their minds and commonly grind their teeth or clench their jaw while sleeping.
3. Difficulty in thinking clearly and concentrating
When you are preoccupied with pain and distress, you may find remembering things and concentrating more difficult. It can also be hard to think clearly, form thoughts, focus, and/or remember when experiencing a mental health problem. Your mental state will start to impact your day-to-day productivity level and make you more easily distracted than usual resulting in difficulty performing well in your academics.
4. Feeling uninterested in your life
Most people facing mental health challenges feel removed from day-to-day life and their surroundings. It may also be accompanied by a sense of being unable to look forward to things or be fully present in the moment. For example, you could be sitting in a group meeting at university and feel unable to participate and engage with people. Or you might feel like you're not there at all.
5. Decreased ability to get things done
Lack of concentration, fatigue and tiredness affect your ability to work productively and proactively respond to situations. These symptoms can sometimes result from most types of mental illnesses. If you notice dramatic changes to your work ethic or enthusiasm, it might be worthwhile to speak to someone and reach out for help .
6. Emotional meltdowns
If you feel regular or constant irritability, anxiety or rage generating sudden explosive behaviour, it may be a potential sign of a mental health issue, for example, disorders that cause serious mood swings.
7. Nervousness
It might result in feelings of restless, uneasiness and serious panic, with an inability to sit still. Nervousness can also can cause symptoms like heavy sweating, rapid breathing, twitching, trembling and a rapid heart rate.
8. Too much drinking
University is generally labelled a notoriously heady time, with heavy intoxication and experimentation accepted almost as a rite of passage. Unfortunately, sometimes students turn to abusing alcohol to help cope with mental health symptoms, not knowing that it can make things worse and that the misuse of substances can exacerbate existing disorders and lead to new ones.
9. Support services
What support is available?
Wondering whether you should seek help? Some people do not ask for support because they feel embarrassed; however, if you are experiencing something that is affecting you regularly, then speaking to somebody will help.
In an emergency
In case of a medical emergency call:
Emergency telephone number: 000
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 851 998
UQ Campus Security: 3365 3333
Student Counselling & Crisis Line (24 Hours): 1300 851 998
Student Services (8am-5pm): 3365 1704
Friends and family
If you feel comfortable, try to speak to someone in your immediate network of friends; they may give you the reassurance and guidance you need.
University counselling service
UQ has targeted support for all students' wellbeing and mental health; It also has a confidential in-house counselling service and offers 10 free counselling sessions each year that you can access, and you can get in touch any time with the support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service Counselling and Crisis line.
Other services
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800
Lifeline
13 11 14
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health
Multilingual information about mental health
The UQ Law Society has a Diversity and Wellbeing portfolio.
Email: diversityandwellbeing@uqls.com
Finally, "It is Okay not to be Okay" you do not have to pretend, put on a mask, or deny what is happening with you. It is not okay to leave things at that point. Recognising you are not coping is just the start. Stay safe and healthy, and enjoy your UQ journey.
