We wanted to create a training that could be presented by any international education professional, including non-clinical staff, but that was designed to effectively reach international students.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (PRWEB) November 06, 2018
International Student Insurance (ISI) is delighted to announce the release of its multi-media training designed for schools to help educate their international students on managing and maintaining their emotional wellness and mental health.
“Mental illness knows no gender, nationality, or ethnicity. The number of cases we’ve seen are on the rise, and are affecting schools throughout the country. We wanted to create a training that could be presented by any international education professional, including non-clinical staff, but that was designed to effectively reach international students,” said Keith Clausen, President of International Student Insurance.
Incorporated in the training is the expertise of The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness (MGH Center), a consortium of clinicians, educators, and researchers who work to promote and understand the emotional wellness issues of international students.
This training will walk international students through the process of identifying their most common stressors as well as strategies to manage their emotional and mental health.
The Mental Health Training for International Students has been designed in a modular format, so schools can tailor the training to their specific needs and availability. The primary goal is to create an opportunity to discuss this sensitive topic, facilitate engaging dialogues, address the stigma of seeking treatment, and encourage an ongoing awareness of the importance of maintaining one’s mental health.
The training consists of the following pieces:
- Powerpoint presentation: Complete and ready to deliver
- Proctor guide: Fully-scripted, step-by-step guide for the presenter
- Culture shock and stress video: Explores the experience of 11 international students adjusting to the US
- Mental health awareness video: Concise overview of mental health, including myths of seeking treatment and where to seek help
- Activities and discussion topics: Focused on common stressors and managing one’s emotional health
- Summary brochure for students to take home
Dr. Justin Chen MD, MPH, Co-Founder of the MGH Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, commented, “Mental health is critical for overall health and long-term success, but it can be challenging for educators and counselors to broach this important topic with international students. We are delighted to have had this opportunity to help create a new resource that can support schools in promoting the emotional well-being of students from diverse backgrounds.”
The new “Emotional and Mental Health Awareness Training for International Students” is available free to high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and to other organizations that serve international students. For further information and to order your free copy, visit:
https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/school-resources/mental-health-training/
You can also learn more about other resources that ISI has been developing on their website at: https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/school-resources/
For more information about MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness, please visit mghstudentwellness.org. The Center served as a paid consultant on content creation for the training.
About ISI
International Student Insurance is a specialized insurance agency selling health and travel insurance to students from around the world. Online since 2001, ISI is a trusted industry leader providing insurance to students studying outside their home country. Owned and operated by Envisage International Corporation, International Student Insurance is a NAFSA Global Partner, member of EnglishUSA, and the Alliance for International Exchange. ISI is also accredited with an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau.
About MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness
The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness is a Boston-based nonprofit consortium of clinicians, educators, and researchers who are passionate about understanding and promoting the emotional health and psychological resilience of students and scholars from diverse cultural backgrounds. The Center focuses on three main areas including: education and primary prevention, research as well as consultation, treatment, and referral.