KEY LINKS
- MIT Medical Mental Health and Counseling
- Managing Mental Health While Abroad: Questions to consider and recommendations from Diversity Abroad
- Successful Study Abroad With a Mental Health Condition: From Mobility International USA
- Her Story: Studying Abroad With a Mental Illness: "A monologue comes from a letter submitted anonymously by a student who spent a semester in Kenya while dealing with clinical anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder." From NPR.
- Traveling Abroad With Mental Illness: Post written by a San Diego State University student who traveled in Europe during Summer 2016.
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Speak with someone by phone or by chat
NOTE: These recommendations should not be taken as professional medical advice; make sure to speak with your medical and/or mental health professional.
Support While Abroad
Speak with your doctor and/or counselor, and family and friends and make a support plan to follow while you're abroad. It might seem that traveling abroad will solve problems back at home and alleviate stress; however, being in a likely unfamiliar place where you will be working full time and communicating most likely in a different language can exacerbate existing stresses and preexisting conditions. You should make plans to continue with care (counseling and medication, if applicable) to help ensure your transition abroad is smooth and your experience is the best it can be.
Self-Care: Staying connected, doing familiar activities, and asking for help
Make plans to keep in regular touch with family and friends while abroad. They will enjoy hearing about your adventure and it will help you in your journey as well! Also, develop a routine for yourself and think about the activities you enjoy back home. Do you enjoy yoga, dancing, or running? Check with MIT-Brazil Program staff about the best places to practice or go or a jog. How about specific magazines? Treating yourself with a digital subscription is not a bad idea.
Remember that it is (more than) OK to ask for help. International SOS is available 24/7 not just for physical health matters, but mental health as well (see below). If you are in crisis, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention hotline by phone or chat; check with program staff about in-country options as well.
Medications
If you take medication to manage any conditions, speak with your doctor and counselor prior to departure (do not wait until the last minute!) to make sure you have a medication management plan while abroad. This should include making sure you have enough medicine to last the entire time you are abroad; do NOT assume that your medication will be available or easy to get if you happen to run out.
ISOS Emotional Support Services
Exposure to new environments, security incidents, medical or mental healthconditions and even just being too far from home could have an impact. ISOS is also available for emotional support by calling ISOS and asking to speak with the emotional support staff. This service provides short-term counseling with mental health professionals in over 60 languages. If required counseling method would be tailored to your needs: phone, video-call or face-to-face. The Emotional Support service is confidential, however, if needed International SOS will inform MIT Medical if follow up care is recommended.
Support While Abroad
Speak with your doctor and/or counselor, and family and friends and make a support plan to follow while you're abroad. It might seem that traveling abroad will solve problems back at home and alleviate stress; however, being in a likely unfamiliar place where you will be working full time and communicating most likely in a different language can exacerbate existing stresses and preexisting conditions. You should make plans to continue with care (counseling and medication, if applicable) to help ensure your transition abroad is smooth and your experience is the best it can be.
Self-Care: Staying connected, doing familiar activities, and asking for help
Make plans to keep in regular touch with family and friends while abroad. They will enjoy hearing about your adventure and it will help you in your journey as well! Also, develop a routine for yourself and think about the activities you enjoy back home. Do you enjoy yoga, dancing, or running? Check with MIT-Brazil Program staff about the best places to practice or go or a jog. How about specific magazines? Treating yourself with a digital subscription is not a bad idea.
Remember that it is (more than) OK to ask for help. International SOS is available 24/7 not just for physical health matters, but mental health as well (see below). If you are in crisis, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention hotline by phone or chat; check with program staff about in-country options as well.
Medications
If you take medication to manage any conditions, speak with your doctor and counselor prior to departure (do not wait until the last minute!) to make sure you have a medication management plan while abroad. This should include making sure you have enough medicine to last the entire time you are abroad; do NOT assume that your medication will be available or easy to get if you happen to run out.
ISOS Emotional Support Services
Exposure to new environments, security incidents, medical or mental healthconditions and even just being too far from home could have an impact. ISOS is also available for emotional support by calling ISOS and asking to speak with the emotional support staff. This service provides short-term counseling with mental health professionals in over 60 languages. If required counseling method would be tailored to your needs: phone, video-call or face-to-face. The Emotional Support service is confidential, however, if needed International SOS will inform MIT Medical if follow up care is recommended.