Thousands of foreign students file mental health insurance claims

Foreign students in New Zealand are filing thousands of insurance claims for mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Figures shared with RNZ reveal that just one of the four largest health insurance providers for international students received 6,500 such claims last year.

Claims And Industry Response

These mental health claims made up 9 percent of all claims submitted to that insurer. ISANA executive officer Chris Beard said these numbers serve as a red flag that must push decision-makers to invest in better support services for international students. He pointed out that student support is often underfunded compared to marketing and promotion, and many staff members in schools and tertiary institutions remain relatively inexperienced in handling these issues. Asian Family Services chief executive Kelly Feng added that international students face severe challenges including anxiety, loneliness, financial pressure, and heavy family expectations. She noted that many students do not know where to seek help, which often leaves issues unaddressed until they reach a crisis point.

Differing Views

Not all officials share the same concern regarding the data. Education New Zealand chief executive David Downs stated that his agency is not seeing any rise in mental health problems within the data. He noted that student surveys show nearly 90 percent of respondents reporting a strong, positive experience in the country, with only about 3 percent saying it falls short of their hopes. Downs added that while international students face the added stress of a different language and cultural context, there are no current plans to change rules or make specific investments in this area, even though Education New Zealand encourages providers to train staff and support students. Around 92,000 international students are expected in the country this year. Meanwhile, former Victoria University professor Colleen Ward said research confirms international learners suffer from higher rates of anxiety and depression than local students, though she noted the insurance data does not clarify if more students are struggling or simply filing more claims.

Context

International students often face a combination of culture shock, language barriers, and academic pressure away from their home support networks. Addressing student wellbeing requires coordination between educational institutions, health providers, and government agencies to ensure proper culturally appropriate care.