Responding effectively to the mental health needs of international students

Drawing on the data from HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council) sponsored project 'Responding Effectively to the Mental Health Needs of Students,' t his article describes the difficulties academic staff experience when respo nding to students with mental health problems. The views of academic staff are also recorded concerning what was helpful to them when considering thes e needs. This data is linked to research on working cross culturally with i nternational students and set within a national framework. Research data is also accessed from focus groups which centred on the mental health needs o f international and home students. Identical questions were posed to both g roups students and similarities and differences recorded. International stu dents voiced experience of a range of economic, social and academic pressur es which appear to be different in degree and often in kind from those expe rienced by 'home' students. These factors in extreme cases may trigger and/ or exacerbate mental health problems. Whilst these findings are mainly qual itative, they have a resonance with and help illustrate existing research. Finally this paper considers the potential of academic staff, student group s and the policies of the institution of higher education to contribute to improvements of the welfare of international students.