According to international students’ mental health statistics, between 2015 and 2024, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among international students doubled.
The reasons? More than we can count on fingers.
The worst part? The issues start well before most people start to notice them.
In my experience with hundreds of study abroad aspirants, I’ve seen it first hand. The subtle signs of stress and anxiety start well before students move abroad. In fact, they begin much earlier, even before they’ve finalised a course or university.
That affects confidence, decision-making, and overall mental well-being. And as Dr. Brock Chisholm says,
“There is no health without mental health.”
In this blog, I’ll share the top mental health challenges international students face. Plus, practical and proactive ways to manage the issues.
What are the mental health challenges among international students?
Wondering what international students struggle with the most? Well, the concerns are as diverse as the students, but here are the top 5 most common ones:
1. Academic Stress & Performance Pressure
International students are often surrounded by high achievers. Add to that the pressure of fast-paced classes and unfamiliar grading systems. That creates a lot of pressure. And the impact of this stress on international students becomes obvious. Students feel they must constantly outperform to justify the opportunity, investment, and expectations. This leads to severe anxiety and even depression among international students.
2. Homesickness & Loneliness
Even the most confident students can struggle with isolation. New cultural norms, new friends, and unfamiliar routines create emotional distance from home. Without support, this loneliness can quickly turn into more serious mental health concerns.
3. Cultural Adjustment Difficulties
International students spend a lot of emotional energy learning to “fit in.” From communication cues to academic expectations and even social behaviours, everything feels different. This phase influences psychological capital, well-being and distress of international students. Especially in the first 6–8 weeks of their international arrival.
4. Visa & Compliance Worries
Visa timelines, paperwork, and fear of making mistakes create high stakes. Students often panic that one wrong step might jeopardise their degree. This adds to the stress that international students experience.
5. Career Uncertainty
With competitive job markets, students fear they won’t secure internships or jobs. This aggravates stress and depression among international students. The impact is even worse on those students who have limited financial backing to fall back on.
6. Financial Anxiety
Money is one of the biggest contributors to mental health issues among international students. There are budget uncertainties, high tuition fees, and currency fluctuations all of which take a toll. Many students fear becoming a financial burden or failing because of money issues. To add to that, there’s the stress of hefty education loan repayments.
At GradRight, our aim is to democratise global education access for Indian students. That’s why reducing stress is part of our purpose, not just a by-product. We work to reduce the effects of financial problems on students’ mental health students by helping them:
- Compare loans easily and avoid guesswork
- Get bids from multiple lenders for better terms
- See total cost, EMIs, and repayment details upfront
- Apply and get loan approvals faster with step-by-step support
- Get suggestions based on their profile and real data
Plus, we also help students secure study abroad scholarships. Here’s what Aditi Mohapatra who studied at the University of New South Wales, said upon receiving a ₹4,00,000 scholarship:
“On top of the 85 lakh loan, I also got a scholarship that reduced the financial burden for my Master’s in Australia.”
Why these issues often go unnoticed or unaddressed
Issues related to mental health in international students are a serious concern. Yet, these issues are ignored until it is too late, majorly due to:
- Stigma in Home Countries: In many cultures, mental health discussions are frowned upon. This forces students to hide struggles to avoid worrying family or appearing weak.
- Lack of Awareness: Students often don’t know about free counselling and wellness services. They assume these on-campus services will cost extra. That’s why they avoid asking for support.
- Focus on Survival Tasks First: Students prioritise housing, banking, transport, and daily setup. They often push emotional well-being aside.
Here’s where the pre-departure phase becomes crucial. Choosing the right university, planning finances, and securing loans can be overwhelming. Crossing oceans to study is already stressful. Shortlisting universities and managing finances is right where the pressure begins. If not managed well, students are burnt out and at the brink of mental health issues when they reach campus.
How students can protect their mental health while studying abroad
Students can take charge of their mental health during their study abroad journey. Here are some practical steps that work:
a. Build a Support System Early
Join student-led clubs, communities, or mentorship groups. Human connection is one of the strongest shields against declining well-being. It helps strengthen the psychological capital, well-being and distress of international students.
b. Use Campus Mental Health Services
Don’t hesitate to avail counselling, peer support circles, and academic advisors on campus. Such emotional support helps in addressing mental health issues affecting international students.
c. Maintain Routines
Regular sleep, balanced meals, and physical activity are simple but powerful tools. They ground students during chaotic transitions.
d. Stay Connected With Home
Scheduled calls with family and friends can prevent escalating loneliness. It also eases cultural transitions and offers release for pent up emotions.
e. Reduce Pre-departure Anxiety Through Better Planning
A clear plan reduces fear. Start by understanding realistic admission chances, expected costs, visa timelines, and loan options. That’s the first step to ease emotional strain. At GradRight, that’s exactly why our process is built around transparency.
We use 8 million+ data points to help you select the right university, the one that meets their budgets and goals. Plus, we have tie-ups with 15+ top lenders, pitching their best offers to you, which means you get the best loan terms. With such support, addressing mental health issues affecting international students becomes easier.
Note: We also offer community guidance & expert webinars for international students. With real stories and expert advice, we aim to make students feel supported.
Planning your study abroad journey, with confidence, not fear
Planning your study abroad journey should feel manageable, not overwhelming.
Facing academic, financial, or emotional challenges? Just need someone to talk through your study abroad options with? You can always write to us for one-on-one study abroad guidance and mentorship.
