mental health awareness (nafsa region v - 2015)
TRANSCRIPT
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NAFSA Region V Conference 2015
Improving Mental Health Awareness Among International Students
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Presenters
Jennifer Frankel
Justin Osadjan
Colleen Seaton
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Agenda
Achieving Mental Health: Creating AwarenessSecond-level Support: Mental IllnessHelping Students Seek Care/BarriersResources/Best PracticesCase Studies and Discussion
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Achieving Mental Health:Creating Awareness
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What is Mental Health?
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
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Challenges for International Students
Far from family and friendsValues are being challenged- cultural differencesFinancesNeed to reformulate identity & personalityChallenge to skills & abilitiesMay have studied abroad to avoid problems at homeLanguage barriersUnfamiliarity with US systemsPhysical differences that set them apart (hijab)Political systems can make them feel implicated
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How Can We Assist?Make them aware of the challengesHelp them to create a support systemInform them about campus and community resourcesOffer workshops to help cope with common stressors
(culture shock, academics, etc.)Educate campus staff
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Working With International Students
Take an active role in understandingApproaching an unfamiliar situation
Describe- stick to the facts
Analyze- possible explanations
Evaluation- personal feelings (awareness)
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Working With International Students, Cont.
Intercultural AwarenessDirect/Indirect
Formal/Informal
Collectivism/Individualism
High context/Low context
Equality/Hierarchy
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Train Advising and Office StaffDiscuss common issuesTeach active listeningEncourage empathyCreate a plan of actionRemind staff to be courteous and friendlyCreate a welcoming environment
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An Advisor’s Role“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...”
Source: Hyun, Quinn, Madon, & Lusting, 2010
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Second-Level Support:Mental Illness
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What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is defined as “collectively all diagnosable mental disorders” or “health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.”
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Mental Illness – Birds Eye View
Source: National Institutes of Health, 2013 Source: World Health Organization, 2002
450 million people affected
Almost 50% affected
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Series105
101520253035404550
Experienced Emotional/Stress Related ProblemsConsidered Seeking CareActually Sought Care
44%
33%
17%
(Source: Hyun, Quinn, Madon, & Lusting, 2010)
Domestic Students:
56%
Domestic Students:
36%
International Students Are Not Seeking Care
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Helping Students Seek Care:
Eliminating Barriers
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“Adequate orientation and administrative support for international students are key factors in successful transitions.”
(Source: Hyun, Quinn, Madon, & Lusting, 2010)
Domestic
Students: 79%
Yes No
39%
61%
Knowledge of Campus Counseling Services
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Worldwide StigmaMental illness often goes undiagnosed and untreated among international students due to the negative connotations associated with the subject around the world.
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Common Myths
“Counseling is for crazy people.”
“Everyone will know I saw the counselor.”
“I can handle my own health problems. If not, it means I’m weak.”
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Warning Signs Hopelessness/ Feeling TrappedLack of PurposeChange in AppearanceAcademic ProblemsProblems with Sleep/AppetiteSocial Isolation/ Withdrawal from OthersLack of Concern about Personal WelfareIncreased Drug/Alcohol Abuse, or RelapseThreat of Harm to Themselves or Others
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Helping Students Seek CareOn-campus assistance:
Mental Health StaffHoursAverage CostNo counseling center?Relationships with other providersSuggestions from other departmentsHelp lines
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Insurance and Mental HealthWhat 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?
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Best Practices & Resources
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Best Practices: Awareness & Action
Know the warning signsAskPersuade – active listening + support + non-judgemental = receptiveRefer – connect students to resourcesFollow-up with the student
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Types of Programs that HelpBuddy/Peer mentor programsCulture shock workshopsUniversity 101-type coursesSocial organizations/student clubsHoliday programsFriendship family programsStaff training
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Programming: NU International Office
Orientation
Understanding health insurance in the US
Culture Shock
Workshops
Winter is coming back!
Culture Shock! – Halloween
Community Programs
Thanksgiving
Peer Mentors
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Programming: Counselling & Psychological Services
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Programming: Counselling & Psychological Services
Stress Management Clinic
Meditation Groups
Relaxation and Biofeedback
Sleep for Health & Performance
Happiness 101
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Programming: Roosevelt University
Orientation
Introduction to staff of Counseling Center
Cultural Adjustment
Counselling Center Liaison
A designed counsellor is assigned to international office staff
Counseling Center Wellness Programs
Relationship-building with Students
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Programming: Staff TrainingSuicide Prevention Training- QPR
Although suicide is one of the most preventable forms of death, it is the second leading cause of death among college students.
Question, Persuade and Refer
http://www.qprinstitute.com/
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Resources and AwarenessMental Health Awareness Video Resource:
www.internationalstudentinsurance.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/
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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/
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Case Studies & Discussion
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Case Study #1During an appointment with a student to discuss her request for a reduced course load (RCL), the student tells you that she needs to drop at least one, and maybe more courses. When you ask her why, she is vague, stating that she is having trouble with the topics. You notice that last semester, she had failing grades in 3 out of 4 courses. You mention this, and ask her if anything specific is causing her difficulty. She says she’s having trouble sleeping at night and is very tired each day and can’t go to class.
What follow up questions could you ask?
What resources could you offer?
What possible mental health issues might you be aware of?
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Case Study #2Julio, an exchange student from Spain, seems to be constantly in the office. Several times, he has spent up to two hours speaking with an advisor. He also attends all of your workshops and social events. He appears to be very extroverted and nice, if perhaps a little needy. About two months after the start of the semester, you notice that Julio is in the office every day, often meeting with one particular advisor or sometimes just “hanging out”. Soon after, the advisor comes to you and expresses concern about the things Julio is telling her. He seems to be having major issues with his family at home, and is very lonely and isolated. Lately she’s also noticed that Julio looks disheveled and unkempt. The advisor doesn’t really feel comfortable with the amount of time he’s spending with her, but she’s hesitant to bring anyone else in because “Julio trusts me”. What are the issues? What actions should you take?
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Thank you!
Q&A