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Well-being and mental health

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Introduction

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Causes of mental health issues among international students

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A few warning signs to keep an eye on

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  • Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care
  • Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings
  • Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
  • Drop in functioning — An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks
  • Unusual behavior – Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior

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  • Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity
  • Problems thinking — Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain
  • feeling lonely
  • feeling guilty
  • being unable to get out of bed (in the mornings)

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Mental Health First Aid Kit 
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses are a suite of internationally acclaimed and evidence-based, accredited training programs that empower and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis such as being suicidal.
mhfainternational.org

Video from WHO on depression 
I had a black dog, his name was depression
Find here a resource of the World Health Organization (WHO): At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression. Many of these individuals and their families are afraid to talk about their struggles, and don't know where to turn for help. However, depression is largely preventable and treatable. Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical step towards recovery.
youtube.com/watch


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Does that sound familiar?

If you recognized yourself or a friend on the previous slides, find out what can be done on several levels to help and alleviate some of the stressors.
  • Things you can do for yourself 
  • Low threshold offers of advice and counselling 
  • Professional Help


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Taking action yourself

There are many things you can do for yourself to support your well-being, here are some examples:
  • Establishing a healthier study/work-life balance
  • Finding a new hobby
  • Going on a weekend trip with friends
  • Taking a short time-out, i.e. travelling back home for a week or two

Find other foreign or internationally interested students to connect with 
  • Getting involved in a student organisation, i.e.
  • Meeting other expats, i.e.
  • Finding a language tandem, i.e.
    • via Tandem App [Tandem is a language exchange app that connects language learners with native speakers. Members can search for language exchange partners to talk to by either text or voice chat. Go to tandem.net]

Attend sports and well-being workshops or classes offered by   
  • one of the several public health insurances


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Low-threshold offering

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Professional help

At some point, prevention, self help and low threshold offers cannot help anymore, and professional help might be required.

As an OVGU student the Studentenwerk offers psychosocial student councelling in groups or on individual basis.

Many more offers of professional advisory services in and outside of OVGU exist. A list can be found on the following page 

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Psychosocial Counselling of the Studentenwerk Magdeburg is open to all university students and employees within the competence of the Studentenwerk. It offers free, non-binding and strictly confidential counselling in stressful situations that may occur during the course of studies.Problems with motivation, the feeling of being overwhelmed, the fear of exams or anxieties about the future, difficulties in relationships with parents or friends and partners cannot always be solved on one’s own or with the help of friends or relatives. One or more individual talks with the counsellor can often provide relief. A common dialogue often helps to gain new perspectives that can foster your own understanding of the problem and provide a route to the strengths and expertise that are sometimes fully or partly hidden. Of course, you are also most welcome if you do not even know where the problems lie, and perhaps you just look for someone who can listen to you and help to sort out your thoughts.In addition to individual counselling, group sessions will be held during the semester, if correspondingly required. Find all information on contact persons, telephone consultation hours and courses here:
studentenwerk-magdeburg.de
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Explore the link collection of OVGU’s Office for equal opportunities to find internal, regional and nationwide contact and advice centres which offer support and assistance in special and/or difficult situations, both professionally and privately.
www.bfg.ovgu.de


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Student perspectives

Student blogsBrowse student blog posts on mental health at
iesabroad.org

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Online ressources

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Conclusion - End on a positive note

You have already made an important step by consulting this PageFlow! If you or a friend are suffering, you can do something about it, find help and support.

There are a plethora of offers and people ready to support and help you. Get in touch!


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