Mental health series to boost well-being among international graduate students
In a recent workshop for Governors State University (GovState) international graduate students, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Ammara Khalid provided tools to help graduate students improve their mental health, which could be impacted by cultural adjustments, academic pressure, isolation and homesickness, among other factors.
The workshop was part of a series for graduate students hosted by GovState’s recently established College of Graduate Studies, which provides support for a large number of international students, said Dean Mary Carrington (pictured left).
She said the students mostly come India where priorities of individuals are not as important as they are in the U.S., a factor that sometimes leads to difficulty adapting.
“They come from a collectivist culture, meaning that they tend to prioritize needs of the group or family. Because these students are in a new country with a very different culture, they often face challenges adjusting to a different language and different behaviors and priorities here. They are quite vulnerable to feelings of isolation and homesickness. ”
Dr. Carrington said the workshop, where Indian food was served, encouraged students to open up and talk about issues affecting their mental health and well-being, and gave them information about resources available to them.
The series will continue on April 23 with a virtual workshop with Dr. Khalid that will be open to all GovState graduate students. The workshop will give graduate students the opportunity to re-connect with Dr. Khalid on issues impacting them, or to connect with her for the first time to discuss ways to address mental health issues, seek help if needed, and maintain good mental health and well-being.
Additional details on the workshop, including information for registering and attending, will be coming soon.