The document summarizes a presentation on improving mental health awareness among international students. The presentation addressed the common problem of mental illness worldwide, myths and stigma surrounding mental health, advisors' role in supporting students, warning signs of issues, helping students seek care, concerns over insurance coverage, and strategies for creating awareness and resources on campus. Presenters discussed normalizing discussions of wellness, inviting counselors to orientations, and using various channels to distribute positive materials on the subject. National hotlines for issues like suicide prevention, substance abuse, and domestic violence were also provided.

1. NAFSA Region VII Conference 2015
Improving Mental Health
Awareness Among
International Students

2. Presenters
Annemarie Estrada
Director of Customer Service
International Student Insurance
Darlene Schmurr-Stewart
Dean of International Student Services
Troy University

3. Agenda
Mental Illness - A Common Problem
Stigma and Myths
Advisor Roles and Boundaries
Warning Signs
Helping Students Seek Care
Insurance Concerns
Creating Awareness / Resources
Success Stories and Discussion

4. What is Mental Health/Illness?
Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or
her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her
community.”
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

5. Mental Illness - A Common Problem
Source: National Institutes of Health, 2013 Source: World Health Organization, 2002
450 million people affected
Almost 50% affected

7. Worldwide Stigma
Mental illness
often goes
undiagnosed and
untreated among
international
students due to
the negative
connotations
associated with
the subject
around the
world.

8. Common Myths
“Counseling is for crazy people.”
“Everyone will know I saw a counselor.”
“I can handle my own health problems. If not, it
means I’m weak.”

9. International Students are Not Seeking Care
Source: Hyun, Quinn, Madon, & Lusting, 2010

10. An Advisor’s Role and Boundaries
“International students who reported a more
functional relationship with their advisors were less
likely to report having an emotional or stress-related
problem in the past year and [to report] using
counseling services...”

11. Warning Signs
Change in Appearance
Academic Problems
Social Isolation
Noticeable Changes in Mood
Unusual or Odd Behaviors
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
Threat of Harm to Themselves or Others

12. I am afraid
I cannot sleep
I am lonely
I am confused
My friends think I
am strange
My parents have high
expectations
My classes are difficult
My girlfriend dumped me
There is no one who
understands me
I want to hide

13. Helping Students Seek Care
On-campus Assistance:
Mental Health Staff
Hours
Average Cost
No counseling center?
Relationships with other providers
Suggestions from other departments
Helplines

14. Insurance and Mental Health
What is Legally Required?
Nothing!
Mental health insurance
coverage is not required by the
government for international
students.
Questions to Consider:
1. Do the students’ insurance
plans cover mental health?
2. Does the insurance
company offer language
support?
3. Do students realize that
claims are confidential?

15. Increasing Awareness
Goal: Normalize and increase comfort in reaching out for support
Incorporate a wellness conversation into your daily interactions.
Use positive, easy-to-understand language, and let them know that it’s common!
Invite counselors and other providers to orientation.
Put out materials on the subject through various channels (i.e., newsletters, social, pamphlets).

16. How do we
welcome our
international students?

17. Resources and Awareness
Mental Health Awareness Video Resource:
www.internationalstudentinsur
ance.com/explained/mental-
health-video.php
NAFSA provides the following
publications:
Health and Wellness for
International Students
Best Practices in Addressing Mental
Health Issues Affecting Education
Abroad Participants
www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/

18. Resources - National Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention
1-800-273-TALK
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA)
1-800-SAMHSA-7 or 1-877-726-4727
www.samhsa.gov
It Gets Better Project (LGBTQ)
1-866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or 1-888-
843-4564
www.itgetsbetter.org/pages/get-help also
includes state specific resources
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
http://www.thehotline.org/

19. Discussion
We know that doctor visits and health history is protected
by privacy laws but what is your role as an advisor in
helping to maintain privacy?

20. Discussion
How do you overcome mental health issues and
the stigma associated with it?

21. Thank you!