WHILE the pandemic threw the spotlight on mental health issues, there are still many barriers to treatment.
These include poor understanding of mental health problems, fear of social stigma or embarrassment, lack of social support and difficulty accessing professional services.
For tertiary students who travel abroad to complete their studies, this could become an even more prevalent problem.
International Medical University (IMU) transfer student, Goh You, now in her fifth year at the University of Edinburgh, says issues like depression, anxiety, insomnia and burnout are commonplace among students for a variety of reasons that are only heightened by being far from home.
MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT
Moving from sunny Malaysia to chilly Edinburgh, she found that even the simplest thing was a reminder that she was far from home, such as her first and last name being mixed up and difficulty understanding the Scottish accent.
During the winter months, the constant cold and early sunsets were also difficult to bear.
"There were many days when I wouldn't see the sun at all. All these things contribute to the feeling that you just don't belong, and you really have to put a lot more effort to form relationships in the face of cultural and social differences," she explains.
It helps when one develops a proper support system and gets to know when, where, and how to get help.
Prior to her move, Goh had taken full advantage of IMU's pre-departure briefings, and meet-and-greet sessions with Partner Schools under the IMU Academic Council meetings, to prepare herself for the upcoming changes. Once she arrived in Edinburgh, she made sure to embrace her new life away from home, by participating in welcoming activities like the senior-junior picnic that encouraged opportunities to connect with fellow students, and exploring the city with her university mates to familiarise herself with her new surroundings.
However, while Goh's experience has been generally positive, many others – both local and abroad – have a much more difficult time coping with matters of mental health, which can sometimes manifest in chronic (long-term) behavioural changes.
Often, these signs can be most easily noticed by family, friends and others such as peers or teachers, such as sleeping difficulties, getting angry easily or withdrawing from social activities.
Here are some behavioural changes to look out for, according to IMU Self-Development Unit counsellors:
*Disturbed sleep
This includes difficulty falling asleep or waking up, waking up in the middle of the night, or excessive sleep.
*Emotional outbursts
Such as being very sensitive, easily irritated or angry.
*Persistent fatigue
Being constantly tired.
*Poor concentration
This includes losing track of conversations.
*Changes in eating habits
Resulting in weight changes that are not caused by a health issue.
*Social withdrawal
A person may avoid or withdraw from social activities, be less active, appear significantly quieter or not participate in social groups. They may also avoid making eye contact with others.
Some of these warning signs can be easily misunderstood or misconstrued in different social contexts. Hence, it is important to have patience in understanding a person's behaviour when it could indicate a possible mental health risk.