Counselling and mental health services for international students in Dubai

Mental health support is important for everyone, but it is even more important for international students. Who find themselves submerged in self-doubt, anxiety and homesickness.

Students often struggle with isolation, academic pressure, language barrier and transition to this new life. Here are some of the reasons why student mental health support in Dubai is important for international student:

• Boost confidence: When in doubt, the best thing you can do is talk to someone more experienced. Mental health services for students can help students understand the scenario of international study and get into study groups. Which will ultimately help them overcome self-doubt and boost confidence.
  
  
• Ease this life transition: International students are afraid of academic failure. Understanding a new education system and excelling at it can be pressurising. This pressure can sometimes lead to stress and burnout. Counselling services for international students can provide essential support, helping them manage this stress and avoid burnout.
  
  
• Simplify cultural adjustment: Moving to a new country involves understanding new customs, traditions, languages and social norms. This sudden cultural change can bring along the feelings of anxiety. Mental health services help ease this feeling and make students feel at home.
  
  
• Help coping with homesickness: Staying away from home comes with its own set of fears. Missing family, talking to friends, change in time zone etc can make you miss your home even more. Counselling and mental health services can help you cope with homesickness
  
  
• Reduces college dropout rate: As per Fortune, 14% of students dropping out of college consider mental health issues as the primary reason for dropping out. Having a supportive environment can make international students feel at home hence reducing the student dropout rate.

Good mental health leads to increased study satisfaction, better performance and lower student depression.

There are various advantages to putting mental health first while studying abroad. Resilience, flexibility and problem-solving abilities are developed in students who prioritise their mental health. These attributes improve their time overseas and help them succeed both personally and professionally in the future.

It is believed that mental health issues are increasing in occurrence and severity. International students face various health challenges while moving abroad for studies. Some of the mental health challenges faced by international students include:

Building a new social network in an unfamiliar environment can be difficult and scary. Many international students may experience loneliness, especially if they find it hard to make friends.

Dubai’s government frequently takes innovative steps to treat mental health concerns and lessen the taboo attached to them. By providing people with access to mental health services and support when needed, it has developed numerous projects for Emiratis and expatriates.

Some of the government initiatives include:

Prioritising mental health is essential for academic success and overall well-being during your educational journey. Check these practical strategies and self-care techniques that can help you effectively manage stress and maintain a positive mindset.

• Attend social events, workshops, or local meetups.
• Consider mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling.
• Develop a study schedule to manage your time effectively.
• Maintain a balanced lifestyle that includes exercise, nutrition and social activities.
• Utilise academic resources such as tutoring centres or writing workshops.
• Establish a daily routine to create a sense of stability.

These tips can help you calm yourself but if the problem of anxiety or depression persists, it is suggested to seek professional help.

Many higher education institutions in Dubai offer counselling services for students. There are seminars, workshops and personal consultations provided by these institutions to help students improve their mental health.

Through these sessions, students can learn new coping mechanisms for college life and become more conscious of the signs of stress, how it affects their emotional and cognitive functioning and how to modify their routines for a healthy way of living.

By holding frequent seminars and workshops that focus on the needs of students, the mental health awareness campaign encourages and promotes a healthy environment. Students can discuss their concerns and difficulties, both academic and personal, in a safe setting during individual and group counselling sessions.

At GBS Dubai, we understand that the journey of studying abroad can be both exciting but also challenging for international students. The transition to a new country, culture and educational system often brings stress that can impact mental health and overall well-being.

Our student welfare team is here to ensure that you have access to the support you need when you need it. We focus on:

• Encouragement: Promoting a proactive approach to health and well-being, encouraging students to prioritise their mental health.
  
  
• Empowerment: Helping students feel confident in seeking assistance from the welfare team whenever necessary.
  
  
• Skill development: Supporting students in developing essential skills for managing their mental health and well-being.

Mental health services overview at GBS Dubai

Students can talk about problems and difficulties in their personal or academic lives. The problems that they feel could make it difficult for them to learn, study, perform or thrive.

By prioritising your mental health during your studies at GBS Dubai, you can fully engage in your educational experience and achieve your academic goals with confidence.

Explore future-ready courses in Dubai and brush up your skills with a practical learning style.

“Contact GBS Dubai today”