Mental Health

Mental Health Support for Studying Abroad

Students who are under the care of a mental health counselor should discuss plans to study abroad with their medical provider, to determine if study abroad is advisable and, if so, what support may be needed while away. Developing a “Self Care” plan with your counselor prior to leaving for OCS can be beneficial. The student should also inform Off-Campus Studies as well as their OCS program about what services they may need while off campus so that Whitman can confirm what types of student resources will be available abroad.

Students with a history of mental health conditions, alcohol and/or drug problems, or an eating disorder may find that the stress of adjusting to a new culture exacerbates their condition. It is therefore important for students to disclose their condition(s) to their study abroad program, and to Whitman Off-Campus Studies so that Whitman and the program can provide adequate and informed support if any issues arise.

Access to Therapists Off-Campus

Most OCS programs can refer students to a network of local counselors or a counseling center in the event that a student needs mental health support while studying away. However, keep in mind these potential limitations:

• Wait times for a first appointment could be long, so establish yourself with a therapist early on
• Working with a new therapist can require some adjusting
• The types of therapy practiced in your destination may be different from what you are accustomed to in the U.S.
• Some international medical insurance has limitations on the number of visits and/or may require a co-pay

Uwill Teletherapy 

Whitman students on OCS programs have access to Uwill teletherapy provided free of charge to all Whitman students through the Whitman Counseling Center.