Thousands of foreign student mental health claims spark calls for better support

Foreign students in New Zealand logged 6500 insurance claims for mental health problems last year from just one of the four largest insurance providers. These claims made up 9 percent of all claims submitted to that insurer and mostly involved depression and anxiety. ISANA executive officer Chris Beard said the figures are a warning sign that leaders must invest more in student support. Staff working with international students report seeing problems every week, putting heavy strain on employees. Beard noted that international learners face unique needs that are different from local students and require a dedicated, trained profession rather than untrained staff. Asian Family Services chief executive Kelly Feng said international students are a vulnerable group facing anxiety, depression, loneliness, financial pressure, and family expectations. Students often do not know where to seek help, leaving issues unattended until they reach a crisis point. Feng called for a complete wellbeing strategy that offers culturally and linguistically appropriate advice. Meanwhile, Education New Zealand chief executive David Downs said his agency is not hearing of any increase in mental health problems. Downs noted that surveys show nearly 90 percent of more than 5,000 respondents report a strong, positive experience in the country, and there are no plans to change rules or make special investments in this area with about 92,000 international students expected this year. Former professor Colleen Ward said research shows foreign students experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than domestic students due to the stressful nature of moving abroad, though she added it remains unclear if more students are struggling or simply filing more claims.

Context

Moving to a foreign country for education involves major cultural, linguistic, and financial adjustments that can heavily impact a young person's emotional wellbeing. Student advocacy groups and educational institutions frequently debate how much responsibility schools have to fund specialized mental health services versus relying on general student support systems.