You’re thousands of kilometres from home, struggling with assignments in a second language, and feeling completely alone. You’re probably even Googling “mental health support for students.”
Studying in another country does come with its own set of challenges. You’re not imagining it and not alone either.
Over 57.4% of university students across 18 countries screened positive for mental health issues, according to a WHO study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
The good news is mental health support is more available today, with some countries doing better than the rest in delivering it.
But first, what does mental health support for students even mean?
Three essential mental health services for students
The best support systems share three things:
- counselling you can actually afford
- campus programmes that catch problems early
- national healthcare that covers serious mental health needs
When these three work together, you can get help before small struggles become major crises.
Calm is just a hotline call away when you’re based in a country with good mental health support. Source: Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash
5 countries offering the best mental health support for students
Australia
Australia makes mental health coverage mandatory. Every international student must buy Overseas Student Health Cover before arriving. According to government guidelines, this insurance covers psychiatric treatment with only a two-month wait for pre-existing conditions, allowing “earlier intervention through psychiatric treatment.”
Insurance providers like CBHS and Medibank include mental health coaching and counselling. Universities then add their own campus services and peer support. It’s a safety net with multiple layers — if one doesn’t catch you, another will.
Canada
The University of Toronto’s My SSP programme exemplifies Canada’s approach, offering free counselling in 146 languages and immediate crisis support. In British Columbia, international students can access the Medical Services Plan (MSP) after three months, which covers mental health support, including psychologists and psychotherapists, for 75 Canadian dollars (US$55) monthly.
Below are examples of additional on-campus mental health support:
- University of British Columbia offers well-being workshops and support groups for international students,
- McGill University has dedicated Local Wellness Advisors for international students and 24/7 support through TELUS Health.
Behind every successful student is a country that understood early on that a healthy mind is the foundation of a bright future. Source: Pexels
New Zealand
The government’s Education (Pastoral Care) Code of Practice 2021 legally mandates mental health support for international students, with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority monitoring compliance to ensure universities meet their obligations. If you’re an international student, you must have health insurance as a visa requirement to access New Zealand’s public healthcare system, including psychiatric services.
Below are examples of additional on-campus mental health support:
- Auckland University of Technology offers short-term counselling and mental health services
- University of Otago delivers six-session brief intervention therapy.
UK
International students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (776 pounds or US$1,058 annually) for full NHS mental health access, including counselling and therapy.
Below are examples of additional on-campus mental health support:
- UCL offers up to six free counselling sessions per year, along with a 24/7 Student Support Line in 35+ languages.
- The University of Edinburgh provides free short-term counselling plus workshops and online support platforms like Togetherall.
Germany
Germany requires all international students to have health insurance covering mental health services, including counselling, therapy, and psychiatric care.
Students under 30 can access public insurance (GKV) for 146 euros (US$173) monthly. Germany’s 45 Studierendenwerke — state-run non-profit organisations for student affairs in the country — provide free psychological counselling to all enrolled students.
Studierendenwerk München offers sessions in German and English. Universities like UE Germany, meanwhile, provide free confidential counselling specifically for international students.
