WellBeing Berkeley International Office and Counseling amp Psychological Services November 7 2012 Todays Agenda Outcomes International Student Population Advising Challenges Student Concerns ID: 594590
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Slide1
Working Together to Support International Students’ Well-Being
Berkeley International Office and Counseling & Psychological Services
November 7
, 2012Slide2
Today’s AgendaOutcomes
International Student PopulationAdvising Challenges
Student Concerns
Cultural & Educational Differences
Challenges Accessing Mental Health Services
Case Studies
ResourcesSlide3
Outcomes
Explore the challenges advisors face when working with international studentsUnderstand the key challenges faced by international students
Enhance awareness of educational and cultural differences
Discuss how these differences impact advising sessions and service delivery
Discuss Skills & Strategies for Referral with Campus Partners
Strategies for Self-CareSlide4
International StudentsSlide5
Quick FactsUC Berkeley currently hosts
4,926 international students (not including students at Summer Session or UC Extension). In Fall 2012,
1,878
students began a new program of study.
57.84 %
of all students are undergraduate level.
42.16 %
of all students are graduate level.Slide6
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT2003-2012Slide7Slide8
Fields of Study
Top Undergraduate Programs of Study
Rank
Major
Total
1
Undeclared: College of Letters & Science
1108
2
Economics
157
3
Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences
147
4
Statistics
945Chemical Engineering836Business Administration707Applied Mathematics61Mechanical Engineering619Architecture5310Civil Engineering46
Top
Graduate
Programs of Study
Rank
Major
Total
1
Business
Administration (M
&
PhD)
175/38
2
Law-LLM (M)
143
3
Electrical Engineering & Computer
Sciences (PhD)
135
4
Mechanical
Engineering (PhD)
124
5
Computer
Science (PhD)
94
6
Business Administration: Eve &
Weekend (M)
77
7
Civil & Environmental
Engineering (PhD & M)
76/42
8
Economics (PhD)
62
9
Physics (PhD)
61
10
Chemistry (PhD)
52Slide9
Advising challengesTalk to your neighbors about advising challenges that you face when working with international students.Slide10
Advising Challenges Brainstorm Nov 2011US & Campus culture shock
Language barrierTaking on too much, rushing to finish
Isolation
Cultural issues- hierarchy, shame in asking for assistance, privacy
Academic differences & expectations
Financial issues
Pressure from home/family
Limited options when in academic difficulty
Visa/immigration ConcernsSlide11
Student ConcernsSlide12
Undergrad Concerns
PersonalFinances/Financial supportOn-campus employment
Post-graduation employment
Housing
Academic
Keeping up with reading, writing assignments
Discussion participation
Difficulty participating in study
groups, group work
Relating to US classmates
Social & Cultural
School/life
balance
Communication & Cultural Differences
Friendships with Americans
Understanding spoken American EnglishSlide13
Graduate Personal, Social & Cultural Concerns
PersonalFinances/Financial SupportDepartmental funding/support
Post-graduation employment
Housing
Understanding US medical insurance & services
U.S taxes
School/life balance
Social & Cultural
Communication & cultural difference
Understanding spoken American English
Friendships with Americans
Understanding American valuesSlide14
Continuum of Educational & Cultural Differences
Thinking Critically……………………….........…...Rote Memorization
Interactive Classroom…………...……………….........…..Lecture Style
Self-selected classes…………...………………..Pre-established classes
Competition………………………...............................…...Cooperation
Direct Communication…………...………….. Indirect Communication
Focus on Originality………….........………………..Focus on Tradition
Focus on Individual………….............…………..Focus on Community
Citing………………………...............................................…...CopyingSlide15
Challenges Accessing Mental Health ResourcesSlide16
Seeking Help
International students may not realize that they need help for emotional or mental health problems. In general, very few international students receive counseling or therapy from a professionalSlide17
Seeking Support
Top Sources of Support
1
Friend
2
Family Member
3
Roommate
4
Significant Other
5
Religious Counselor
Note that many international students may not seek support from anyoneSlide18
Main Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Services
No recognition of needPrefer to deal with issues on their own
Perception that stress is normal at the university
Support from other non-clinical sources
Don’t perceive needs as serious
Lack of time
Think problem will correct itself
Question whether therapy is helpful
Worry about what others will think
Privacy concernsSlide19
Stigma
“It’s all in your head. It does not exist”
“I don’t want my friends and family to know. It’s a shame.”
“I should be able to get over it, just suck it up”
“Nobody can help me”
“I am not crazy”
“They will force me to take medication and lock me up in a hospital”
“It’s a sign of weakness” Slide20
An Interesting Phenomenon about Asian International Students who Struggle with DepressionSlide21
Mental Health Service Utilization by Depression Severity
and Student TypeSlide22
Mental Health Service Utilization by Depression Severity and RaceSlide23
Due to the barriers/stigmas associated with seeking help regarding mental health issues for international students, academic advisors often become the 1
st and sometimes
only point of contact
where there is an emotional/mental health crisisSlide24
Key Points about Making Referrals:
Counseling is NOT mandatory, on the other hand, it is important to
inform
the student and
make referrals
as neededSlide25
Respect privacy but do not guarantee confidentiality
Listen
attentively,
express
concerns about the overall well-being
Discuss
,as
needed, the potential implication on academic status
Provide
referral
information and resources
Try to get others involved
: friends/family/mentor/advisor as necessary
Consult
with CPS staff/coworkers/supervisors as needed Consult with BIO advisors as needed to understand signs or access other servicesSlide26
If it’s an urgent situation: C
all police (911) or use crisis services.Tang Center is open from 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday for walk-in counseling. Slide27
Case Studies Slide28
Case Study: LisaA 20 year old Chinese female student in her 2
nd semester at Cal.
Intends to pursue Business major. She really
wanted to study Art History, but parents expect her to study
Business.
Comes
to your office after being cited for plagiarism by a professor.
States that she has been experiencing stomach issues which put her behind in course work
.
Slide29
QuestionsWhat are your initial reactions? What do you think is going on for Lisa?
What further information would you like to obtain about Lisa?
Are there assumptions that you may be making about Lisa as she sits with you in the office?
Where are the boundaries in what you can do in your role?
What are the resources for Lisa and how can you connect her to them
?
What if Lisa seemed shy about speaking to you in English?
What if Lisa told you…
She lives alone, has few
friendsSlide30
Case of Jose
25-year old married male senior transfer international student from Chile, majoring in PsychologyWalked in for dropping classes past the deadline
He is currently on academic probation (GPA dropped from 3.0 to 1.5 due to failing of 3 classes last semester). He has missed more than 50% of his classes this semester.
Started crying 5 minutes into the conversation, saying “I am not sure how long will I be able to make it…” and “…nobody cares about me…”
When asked later, stated that his father passed away recently in a car accident back at home and his wife filed for divorce about 2 months ago.Slide31
QuestionsWhat stands out about the case? What are some of your concerns about the student?How do you make referrals?
What if the student is resistant towards the idea of counseling? Slide32
Resources & Self-CareSlide33
Self-Care: Preventing burnout
Recognize and accept limitations
Consult
and
refer
to professional counselor whenever appropriate
Set appropriate
boundaries
You are
not alone
! Seek social support from coworkers/supervisors
Self-care
: regular eating/sleeping schedule, exercise, interpersonal relationships, hobby/interests, relaxation, etc.Slide34
Counseling and Psychological Services – www.uhs.berkeley.edu/students/counseling
Counseling for studentsBrief individual and couples counseling
Drop-in counseling for urgent concerns
Groups
Career counseling and assessments
Psychiatric services
Consultation and Outreach Services
Workshops for students and student groups
Training for faculty and staff
Phone consultation about students of concern
Support after campus deaths or traumatic eventsSlide35
BIO Services & Support Programs Individual Daily Drop-Ins & Appointments
Academic & Personal AdjustmentFinancial IssuesCampus PoliciesVisa Related MattersEmployment BenefitsFall & Spring OrientationsWorkshops & Webinars: Financial aid, academic success, career exploration, personal success
http://Internationaloffice.berkeley.edu