Guidelines for Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellness

https://doi.org/10.36366/G.978-1-952376-47-4

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Students’ mental well-being is a key aspect of their health and ability to successfully study abroad. Mental health conditions and related challenges are on the rise among college-aged students (Abrams, 2022). Colleagues across the field of education abroad similarly report that an increasing number of students with mental health concerns are participating in education abroad experiences.

Mental health crises are one of the three most common critical incidents that have been reported by education abroad students in recent years. In fact, they are the only critical incident type that is more likely than not to result in a student withdrawing from their program before completion, according to The Forum’s Student Risk Report (Dietrich, 2025).

These guidelines are designed to help international educators at higher education institutions and education abroad organizations support students’ mental health and wellness in education abroad. Due to the complex nature of this topic, these guidelines are not meant to be exhaustive in nature. Nor are they designed to provide answers to every question related to student mental health and wellness abroad. While the guidelines emphasize pre-departure support and related best practices, they can be used to help inform and develop effective strategies for supporting participants during all stages of their experience. Though much of the information is presented through a U.S. lens, the content is intended to be useful to colleagues around the world, particularly those interested in learning about U.S. perspectives on mental health.

The guidelines outline best practices and recommendations to cultivate a professional network and communication strategy to support students and develop more consistent and effective approaches to collecting, reviewing, and using appropriate student health and mental health information. Further, the guidelines can be used to guide collaboration with other campus and/or organizational actors to help identify students at risk, assist students with the development of appropriate self-care plans, and, if necessary, help guide students to consider different programs or the possible postponement of their education abroad plans. Students have unique needs and challenges, but with proper planning and support, we can enhance their
ability to succeed abroad. 

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