University support services should clearly communicate that helping hands are located across campus
October 10, 2025
For World Mental Health Day, #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador Saida Alimdjanova shares her experiences of managing her mental health as an international student at the University of Warwick, and offers advice to Universities on how to provide appropriate support.
What unique challenges do international students face in managing their mental health and accessing support they need?
Moving abroad to study is a pivotal moment of introspection: which support systems have I taken for granted before moving to the UK? Who is going to lend me a helping hand if I am not feeling well?
University support services should seize this very moment proactively to reach out to their students, clearly communicating that helping hands are located all across the campus – information as crucial as this needs delivery at the right point in time. Otherwise, and this stems from personal observations, students will either self-isolate, suffer in silence, assume wellbeing services are structured similarly to those in their countries of origin or not take them seriously.
Most importantly, however, they fear that requesting and receiving help for mental struggles could affect their official records or employability prospects. Terms such as anonymity and safe environment, to name just a couple, should therefore also be clearly explained to newly arrived students.
What is your own experience of managing your mental health as an international student?
In my three years (and going) at the University of Warwick, I have experienced an exceptional level of support as an international student, which I will always cherish as one of the fondest memories of my time there. Ranging from therapeutic services to intra-university job opportunities, the University helped me find a solid footing where international students need it the most.
There are two sides to support: one which seeks to accommodate unique experiences, particularly within wellbeing services and academic support, and another one which treats us equally, mostly crucial in recruitment. To me, Warwick has masterfully fulfilled both, especially in times of academic hardship and examination periods.
Do you have any advice for universities, colleges or other international students on how to manage their mental health?
Like in many other fields, the one-size-fits-all approach is doomed to fail in wellbeing services. From personal experience, I can attest that I benefited from therapy most effectively when it was run by someone with a cultural background similar to mine – there was so much more mutual understanding and the sessions were flowing very naturally.
Universities should recognise that a high intake of international students implies having to optimise the inclusiveness of wellbeing services. As rightfully stated in the #WeAreInternational Student Charter, cultural backgrounds require careful consideration when it comes to raising awareness, providing access and designing the delivery of mental support.
Last but not least, mental health management should always start before crisis, and educational institutions should therefore put more emphasis on preventive care and promoting a healthy study-life balance well in advance. This equally applies to students themselves: be proactive, do not hesitate to try different forms of mental health support – it will all be to your benefit at the end of the day!
For more information on managing your mental health and accessing support as an international student, visit our page on Mental health support in the UK.
Don't miss our other blogs in the series:
- Taking care of your mental health as an international student
- Experiences of managing mental health through grief
