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Common Mental Health Challenges for International Students

Summarise the article with AI:

Mental Health >> Common Mental Health Challenges for International Students

Common Mental Health Challenges for International Students

ft. Li

Li

Li (they/them) is a Master of Finance student at the University of Melbourne. Coming from an East Asian background, Li feels intense pressure to succeed and avoid disappointing their family back home, where academic success is closely tied to honour, sacrifice, and future security.

Common challenges include:

•
Academic pressure – high expectations from family and self.
•
Language barriers – difficulty fully understanding lectures, readings, and assessments in English.
•
Time stress – juggling part-time work and full-time study leaves little room for rest or social connection.
•
Isolation & stigma – in some cultures, mental health is seen as shameful, so seeking help feels risky.

These pressures can contribute to anxiety, burnout, sleep problems, and feelings of loneliness.

I remind myself that asking for help is okay. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness

Limitations for International Students

Mental health care isn’t always straightforward…

•
Cost Barriers – Even with OSHC, gap fees can make regular therapy expensive ($30–$70 per session).
•
Waiting Periods – Some OSHC providers have a 2-month wait for pre-existing mental health conditions.
•
Cultural Stigma – Students like Li may hesitate to see a psychologist due to fear of judgment from family or community.
•
Privacy Concerns – Many worry their university, insurer, or family might “find out.” (In reality, counselling is confidential by law.)

Barriers You Might Face

1. Limited Access to Public Subsidies

•
International students generally don’t have Medicare, so they miss out on many publicly subsidised services. OSHC can help cover mental health care, but only partially. Coverage is often limited to a set number of sessions, and gap fees (out-of-pocket costs) can still be prohibitively high.
•
OSHC can also impose waiting periods, especially for pre-existing conditions, which may delay coverage for a year or more.

2. Language and Cultural Barriers

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Difficulty communicating in English can hinder Li’s ability to understand mental health concepts, book appointments, or navigate the healthcare system.
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Cultural stigma around mental health, or the fear of being judged, can discourage seeking necessary help.

3. Lack of Awareness and Confusing Information

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Information about counselling, eligibility, OSHC coverage, costs, or how to book appointments may not be clearly communicated, especially during orientation. Students often learn about services late in their studie
•
University mental health strategies often frame support as personal resilience-building rather than improving institutional conditions, potentially placing pressure on students rather than the system.

4. Overstretched Services & Long Wait Times

•
University counselling services are typically short-term only, providing limited free sessions and often long waitlists. That makes timely help difficult for students in acute distress.

5. Financial Stress & Housing Challenges

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Living costs, rent, tuition, and daily expenses add heavy financial pressure, taking priority over mental health costs even when support is needed.
•
Broader housing insecurity, exacerbated by Melbourne’s rental crisis, can worsen stress levels and reduce bandwidth for mental health care.

6. Visa and Policy Pressures

•
Visa conditions and policy scrutiny can amplify stress. Students may worry that having a mental health record or seeking help could jeopardise their visa status.

7. Social Isolation & Safety Concerns

•
Separation from support networks and family, especially in unfamiliar environments, can leave students feeling unsafe and unsupported, further reducing help-seeking behaviour.
•
Experiences of racism or violence can heighten anxiety and reduce trust in formal support systems.
Barrier TypeWhat It Means for You
Financial / InsuranceOSHC limits, gap fees, waiting lists for pre-existing conditions
Language & CultureDifficulty accessing info, cultural stigma, different belief systems, fear of judgment
Awareness & AccessUnclear info, late discovery of support, limited counselling sessions
Institutional PoliciesResilience-focused messaging, visa-related stress, limited tailored response
Social & EnvironmentalHousing stress, isolation, racism, safety concerns

Why This Matters:

•
You might want help, but these combined barriers (financial, cultural, structural) may silently prevent them from reaching out, even when needed most.

Getting Mental Health Support in Melbourne: Overcoming Barriers

Moving to a new country for study can be exciting, but it can also feel stressful, lonely, or overwhelming. If you’re like Li, an international student navigating Melbourne’s systems, you might face some challenges when trying to access mental health support. Here’s what to know, and how to make it easier.

1. Understanding Costs & Health Coverage

•
OSHC Helps, But Has Limits: Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) can cover mental health services, but usually only a set number of sessions. Some providers may also charge extra out-of-pocket fees.
•
Waiting Periods Exist: If you have pre-existing conditions, OSHC might delay coverage for up to a year.

Tips:

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Ask your OSHC provider exactly what’s covered and if they have preferred psychologists with lower gap fees.
•
Some community organisations, like Headspace, and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs offer free counselling and mental health support for international students.

2. Language & Cultural Support

•
Communication Can Be Hard: English isn’t easy for everyone, and mental health terminology can be confusing.
•
Cultural Stigma: In some cultures, talking about mental health feels taboo.

Tips:

•
Look for multilingual counsellors through your university or local services.
•
Some online platforms offer interpreters during appointments.
•
Shapes and Sounds have a database of Asian therapists

3. Finding & Understanding Services

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Info Can Be Confusing: You might hear about counselling late or get unclear instructions on how to book.
•
Limited Sessions: University counselling is often short-term.

Tips:

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Ask student services for a step-by-step guide to booking appointments.
•
Explore directories like Ask Izzy or Partners in Wellbeing for referrals.

4. Overstretched Services & Wait Times

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High Demand: Counselling slots can be booked out weeks in advance.

Tips:

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Book early and keep an eye on cancellation lists.
•
Consider online or telehealth options that might be faster.

5. Managing Financial & Housing Stress

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Money Matters: Rent, tuition, and daily expenses can make mental health care feel like a luxury.
•
Housing Pressure: Unstable accommodation can worsen stress and anxiety.

Tips:

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Free or low-cost counselling services are available through local community organisations.
•
Student support teams can also advise on financial aid or housing assistance.
•
The Couch International Student Centre provides free meals Mon - Thursday, and they can provide advice to students experiencing financial hardship

6. Visa & Policy Concerns

•
Visa Stress: Some students worry that seeking help could affect their visa.

Tips:

•
Mental health records are confidential. Seeking help does not affect your visa status.
•
Speak to your university’s international student support team for guidance.

7. Social Isolation & Safety

•
Feeling Alone: Being away from family or friends can make problems feel bigger.
•
Safety Concerns: Experiences of racism or harassment can reduce trust in formal systems.

Tips:

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Join student clubs or cultural associations to build connections.
•
Reach out to peer support networks if you’re feeling unsafe or isolated.

Where Li Can Get Help

Li decides to reach out, but mental health care can feel complicated for international students. Here’s what’s available:

GP + Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)

•
Li can visit a GP and ask for a Mental Health Care Plan.
•
This provides access to up to 10 subsidised sessions with a psychologist per year.
•
OSHC usually covers 85% of the MBS fee, but if the psychologist charges more, Li pays the gap.

University of Melbourne Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

•
Free short-term counselling for students.
•
Helpful for immediate support while waiting for a long-term psychologist.

Free or Low-Cost Options

•
Headspace (for people under 25) – free or low-cost youth counselling.
•
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs - Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs | Better Health Channel - free services
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StudyMelbourne Student Centre – free support and referral services.
•
Beyond Blue / Lifeline – free crisis counselling via phone or online.

Self-Help & Mental Health Apps (No Cost)

Sometimes professional help feels overwhelming, so Li turns to self-help tools:

•
Smiling Mind – free mindfulness and meditation app.
•
MoodMission – evidence-based app that suggests small activities to improve mood.
•
Headspace (basic version) – free guided meditations and stress relief.
•
Beyond Blue online forums – anonymous peer support.

Why Support Matters for Students Like Li

1

Institutional support: UniMelb's counseling, Study Melbourne’s central hub, and crisis lines like VU’s offer both immediate and follow-up help.

2

Digital & multilingual services: Apps like MOST and Partners in Wellbeing, along with Embrace Multicultural Mental Health, ensure support is adaptable and accessible.

3

TAFE-specific services: For students enrolled in TAFE or RTOs, Chisholm and Kangan provide tailored, cost-free wellbeing services.

4

Community & hospital care: Prahran Mission and Maroondah Hospital fill gaps when formal or institutional services are unavailable or unaffordable.

5

Emergency support: Lifeline and the Suicide Call Back Service remain vital safeguards for students in crisis.

Li's Takeaway:

Talking to a psychologist really helped me feel lighter — like I didn’t have to carry everything alone. Apps and uni counselling got me through the tough weeks when money and time were tight. It’s not easy, but reaching out is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What Does This Mean?

OSHC

(Overseas Student Health Cover)

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What Does This Mean?

GP

(General Practitioner)

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What Does This Mean?

MHCP

(Mental Health Care Plan)

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What Does This Mean?

Stigma

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