Mental Health and Living Abroad

Leaving home and moving abroad is one of the most exciting yet daunting things to do. For most people when doing an Erasmus or exchange year, it’s the first time living alone or without parents. It encourages you to be independent and allows people to really find

themselves.

Your mental health is something that can really be affected by the big changes that happen when you have moved abroad. Being prepared before you go can really make your experience more enjoyable, and less stressful. There are some key things that you can do to make the transition to your new life easier.

Before you go:

Research

Healthcare:

You should look into the healthcare system in the country you are going to. Check the Health section in FCDO Travel Advice. Some countries don't provide healthcare funded by the government, and this can cost a lot of money. Getting a health plan and the right travel insurance is a must- take into account the duration of your time abroad, the countries you may visit, and always prepare for the unexpected

Health insurance:

Getting the right health insurance is very important during any travel outside of the UK, so it is equally as important when you move abroad.

Many people only make sure that their physical health is covered if anything happens, but making sure your mental health is covered is equally as important. Some insurance companies will exclude cover for a mental health condition, so it is worth shopping around, especially if you already have a pre-existing mental health condition.

MIND is an extremely helpful organisation if you need specialist insurance. Their information on insurance and mental health includes a list of insurance providers, but beyond this, their website also provides mindful techniques you can use when you feel low. Additionally, the FCDO also has information on finding specialist insurance on their website. It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. For more information check out the Travel Advice website.

GHIC:

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), previously the EHIC, is a must when going abroad. It’s free and will allow you to access necessary state-provided medical healthcare should anything happen to you while on your travels. However, It doesn’t cover everything and you will still need travel insurance. It may also not cover you if you are working or moving permanently abroad. Check the FCDO travel advice for more information.

Check out the FCDO advice on foreign travel insurance. This is extremely helpful to make sure you don't get caught out. Always check the small print and make sure any medical conditions that you have are covered, and all activities you intend to undertake will be included.

Medication:

A couple things to check if you require medication while being abroad:

• Do you have enough?

• Is it legal and available in the country you’re moving to? - Some medication abroad is illegal and you need a doctors note. For example, painkillers containing codeine are ‘controlled drugs’ so you should always check the requirements for taking these into another country. By not complying it could result in being arrested, fined or even imprisonment in many countries. This includes Greece and the UAE. Most countries have this information in their health section on the travel advice website.

Learn

If you’re moving somewhere where they speak a different language, it is very useful to learn some basic phrases and words. This will make it less daunting to communicate with the locals and will not only make your experience more enjoyable and interesting, but it will make you feel less isolated and more at home.

The local laws and customs vary for every country. It is important to familiarise yourself with these which is easy to do on the website.

While you’re there:

As much as it is the most exciting time for people, living abroad has its highs and lows. Some people can feel homesick, isolated, or struggle with adapting to a new way of life.

Keep in contact with family and friends. This allows you not to lose that sense of reality and feel isolated. People back home care about you, and will want to know how you are doing. They can help brighten your day if you're feeling down. Sometimes worrying if your family members are okay can make you feel anxious and stressed, therefore checking in allows you to know they are okay and gives you more time to enjoy yourself.

Sometimes when you move abroad, there is pressure to make friends and not miss out on anything. However, taking a day to yourself and relaxing is important for your mental health. From my own experience, you can feel mentally drained from constantly being on the go, but something as simple as taking time for yourself can really work wonders.

There are guides to living in specific countries here which can give you information about things like healthcare and local laws and customs. It’s useful to sign up for email alerts so you can find out when these pages are next updated.

Here is some helpful information on who and how to contact

Adjusting to life back home:

Adjusting to life back home for me was the most challenging aspect of studying abroad. As much as you missed your family and friends at home, you can equally miss the friendships you made while being away.

Keeping in contact with the connections you made is something that can help your transition into your life back home. Talking to these people can be really useful as they are, in a way, the only people who you can relate to. You experienced the same thing as them while being away, and will be experiencing the same thing moving home.

Whether you are at home or abroad, if you are struggling with mental health issues, it’s important to seek help or even chat to someone. Check out here for more advice or visit/call one of these organisations:

• Scottish Association for Mental Health

• Mind

• Mental Health Foundation

More organisations and help are available on the FCDO travel advice website.