INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students come from various countries around the world and represent a large and diverse population on campus. International students enrich college campuses through their unique global and cultural perspectives. Along with the stresses that many college students face, international students often experience additional pressures such as: 

• adjusting to a new culture, 
• using a foreign language, 
• learning new social interactions, 
• feeling misunderstood, 
• having limited local support. 

Suicide Risk Increases with experiences such as: 

• Prejudice, inter-cultural conflict 
• A new educational system, language barriers
• Cultural stigma related to mental health
• Loss of social structures when coming to new country
• Financial and academic concerns 

Barriers to seeking help may include: 

• Stigma of mental health 
• Less awareness of mental health resources 

Protective Factors that can decrease risk: 

• Social support with either locals or co-nationals which may buffer against acculturative stress 
• Enhancing opportunities that facilitate international students’ sense of belonging 

Suicide prevention within international student communities may include:

• Increase mental health awareness to reduce stigma within International Student communities 
• Peer-Based mental health awareness programs 
• Training academic advisors and professors in recognizing distress in students