The cultural, social, and environmental changes that happen when living abroad are part of the thrill and the essence of your trip. You will be immersed in a new traditions, slang, and garner more complex cultural perspectives for yourself. But this shift may cause some to feel lost during their time abroad and face difficulties coping with their mental illness.

Mental illness is a scary and often times daunting thing to manage and live with. However, proper care and a good support network can alleviate much of the issues it presents and allow you to live a normal life. And that includes being able to study abroad. Even for a person who may not already deal with mental illness, studying abroad can strain their mental health and make things difficult, and it is for that reason that you should prioritize your mental health when planning to go abroad just as much as you prioritize your financials.

If you regularly see a mental health professional for therapy or are able to meet with one a few times before your trip, I highly suggest sitting down with them to help see where you are and how going abroad may challenge you. This is also a good opportunity to share any feelings or doubts you may have about your trip, since its completely normal if you feel overwhelmed by going abroad or during preparations. A mental health professional, like those available at CCPH, can help you build a personal toolbox to combat intrusive thoughts and toxic ways of thinking. Remember, they are there to help and will not judge you for any fears (even irrational) that you may have.

Next, if you also take medications for your mental health, then your next step is ensuring that you have access to them while away. Some countries do not permit the sale of certain medications and so you may not be able to go to a pharmacy if you run out. In that case you will need to pay a visit to your primary healthcare provider and petition for a travel prescription that will last you the entire time you are away. Please note: YOU MUST HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION OF THE PRESCRIPTIONS WHEN TRAVELING AND NEVER LET THEM LEAVE YOUR SIDE. Any customs agent that sees huge bottles of medication without matching documentation will reasonably give you a hard time and possibly delay your travels for fear of drug trafficking. But not to worry, if you keep your important documents together in an organized folder when you travel you should make out a-okay. Another key point is that you should not be away from your meds. Do not pack your medication in your checked bag(s), since there is a chance that the bag could be lost or stolen. Keeping it in your carry-on allows you to know where they are at all times and since most medications are taken daily, it is likely you will need to take your meds while traveling to your destination.

I previously mentioned the importance of support systems; a support system is simply a term used to describe a group of people you trust that you can reach out to when you’re not feeling well. They could be friends, family, or even a counselor, and can make a huge difference in maintaining your mental health. Now with the advent of the smartphone and computers we are able to video chat with each other easier than ever before. Talk with these people before hand and see if they would be willing to talk every once in a while (preferably on a schedule), not just about how you’re feeling but about what you’re doing while abroad. This will help you to stay connected with those you love and feel more at ease knowing that there is someone that you can talk to.

Once you step on that plane your adventure is starting. It will be filled with ups and downs, but you will have the tools ready to build yourself up when you are feeling low. Going abroad is a chance to challenge yourself to try new things and to make new friends. Do not feel ashamed if you are scared or nervous, those feelings are natural to everyone. You have planned and worked for that trip and should feel pride in your ability to get you there, even if you end up leaving early.

While it is fully possible to study abroad while dealing with mental illness, sometimes life throws you the proverbial curveball and you may just catch it in the face. Leaving can feel like failure, but if you have sat down and tried everything you can to stay and be healthy, then there is nothing to be ashamed of. Your health and mental health are more important that keeping yourself in a situation that may become unsafe. If you are feeling like you may hurt yourself or put yourself at risk, PLEASE REACH OUT. You are loved and will make it through the difficult times. Here is a list of international suicide prevention numbers that you can use in case of an emergency.

Now, get out there and have the times of your lives!!!