What Key Barriers Prevent International Students from Using Mental Health Services, and How Can These be Addressed to Improve Engagement?
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Uyo, Eseoghene
Issue Date
2024-09-30
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
international students , mental health challenges , cultural stigma , language barriers , help-seeking behavior , mental health service utilization , barriers to access
Alternative Title
Abstract
International students often face significant mental health challenges exacerbated by barriers that limit access to support services. This paper explores these barriers and recommends strategies to improve students' well-being and academic success. Given international students' economic and cultural contributions, it is ethically and practically important to effectively support their mental health needs. Research in counseling psychology would tackle the following question: What barriers prevent international students from accessing mental health services, and what would increase engagement? This paper will review how counseling professionals might tailor approaches and build on culturally sensitive interventions by considering acculturative stress, linguistic barriers, and stigma. The paper uses a comprehensive literature review methodology to discuss issues related to underutilizing mental health services among international students. This study does a wide database search through the City University library, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar, using certain keywords to include only relevant, recent peer-reviewed studies from 2018-2024 and focus on international students from non-Western backgrounds. The literature review reveals significant barriers to service utilization, including stigma, linguistic challenges, and limited access to culturally competent resources. Additionally, a deeper understanding of students' help-seeking behaviors and support needs is crucial for promoting engagement. These findings show the necessity of counseling services to address the unique experiences of international students. By having culturally responsive interventions, mental health professionals could significantly enhance mental health outcomes for this population