Mental Health Impact and Challenges Faced by International Students
Themes seen in counseling for international students at Conestoga College include food insecurity, lack of stable housing, cultural transition anxiety, job search stress, and more. Social determinants affecting mental health include social inclusion, freedom from discrimination and violence, access to economic resources, food security, and housing. Current challenges include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adjustments to virtual learning, political unrest in home countries, balancing studies and work, and limited counseling services for students outside Ontario.
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Presentation Transcript
Conestoga College On the Ground at Conestoga . On the Ground at Conestoga . CICMH International Student Mental Health Summit Shawna Bernard, MSW, RSW Counsellor, Conestoga College April 27, 2023
The Picture at Conestoga International Student Enrollment at Conestoga International Student Enrollment at Conestoga Winter 2023 29,777 Total Full-time Students 21,161 International Full-Time Students 8,616 Domestic Full-time Students 71% Full-time Students are International Students 38% increase in FT enrollment since Winter 2022 due to International student growth
Mental Health Impact Themes Seen in Counselling Themes Seen in Counselling Food insecurity Lack of stable housing Anxiety - cultural transition/ learning new norms and rules in Canada Job search stress Globalization of education students on our campuses are directly affected by political situations/ world issues Restrictions on post-grad work permits for part-time students Suicidal ideation/ feeling overwhelmed Success stories personal growth, resilience, increased opportunities Picture is different than reality
Mental Health Impact Social Determinants of Mental Health Social Determinants of Mental Health Social inclusion Freedom from discrimination and violence Access to economic resources Food security Housing There is no health without mental health. (CMHA, 2018)
Challenges Some Current Challenges Some Current Challenges COVID-19 pandemic impact adjustment to virtual/ hybrid learning, study permit delays, deferrals, health concerns, anxiety Safe Housing impacted by virtual or in-person learning, change in programs/ campus - affects location, city, transportation Political unrest in home country - concern for family members safety, concentration, finances, ability to travel home, feelings of guilt? Travel bans or re-application for student visa from home country affects ability to return home, need approval prior to semester start (deferral?) Balancing studies and work - many international students want to support family back home + have own tuition/ living costs Counselling services only provided to students living in Ontario
Resource Finding for Students On Campus Resources On Campus Resources International Office study, work, co-op permits/ arrival, housing, start-up support/ scholarship & emergency bursary applications Medical Care Clinic/ Counselling Peer Wellness Navigators (The Breathing Space - Doon and DTK campuses) CSI (student gov t) Campus food bank, housing, events, health insurance Student Engagement Orientation, English Conversation Partners, Conversation Caf s Student Success Portal One-Stop Shop - Student Services, workshops, virtual events, webinars Career advisors resum / cover letters, mock interviews, job fairs/ postings
Resource Finding for Students Off Campus Resources Off Campus Resources Community food banks Multicultural Centre Housing Immigration lawyers for legal advice Community Centres services, recreation facilities Good2Talk HERE 24/7 (Mental Health & Crisis Services Waterloo-Wellington Region) Student Union virtual platforms (eg. Dialogue Health)
Strategies Some On the Ground Strategies . Some On the Ground Strategies . Students are the experts on their experience Use of therapeutic relationship to create change (confidential, safe space) Use of appropriate self-disclosure (increases power to the student, common humanity) Offer hope experiences can help skills, overcoming obstacles = confidence Map on wall rapport building with clients/ feeling of pride in roots Cultural Adjustment and Transition webinars
Strategies Some On the Ground Strategies Some On the Ground Strategies Residence workshops for Ukrainian students/ Russian students CSI (Student Union) Ukrainian Student Club Crisis communication from organization mass email to all students when global crisis occurs Support groups/ student association clubs for students affected by war/ political conflict Drop-in Zoom chat support sessions for students Staff SOCH mental health training (context of systems in the room) Others?
References References References Murphy, Bianca Cody & Dillon, Carolyn. (2015). Interviewing in Action in a Multicultural World (5th ed). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. O Leary, Claire & Staunton, Louise & Griffiths, Stephanie. (2022, March 29). Supporting International Students in Times of Crisis and Conflict. EAIE. Supporting international students in times of crisis and conflict - Blog | EAIE Social Determinants of Health. Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved from https://ontario.cmha.ca/provincial-policy/social-determinants/
