International students’ mental health: An Australian case study of Singaporean students’ perceptions

This chapter focuses on international Singaporean university students in Melbourne. It considers different understandings and influences of mental health and mental illness; perceptions that are influenced by culture and stigma; and mental health help-seeking behaviors. In Forbes-Mewett and Sawyer’s study, most international students were willing to acknowledge a physical illness, but it was harder for them to accept and admit that they were struggling with poor mental health. Thus, they were less inclined to use mental health services or seek professional help. Students hoped to remain anonymous while seeking professional help as they felt that this would be less intimidating and that they would be able to disclose their issues more comfortably. The chapter suggests that mental illness was generally still not understood well among the participating Singaporean international students. However, the practices, attitudes, and outcomes associated with mental health stigma within a cultural group remain unclear.