Background
The mental health crisis among the international students in Australia is intensifying. As of 2024, Australia is home to over 700,000 international students, contributing to the economy wand educational sector of the country- however, many of these are silently battling anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. According to Australian International Education Association and studies, nearly one in four international students experiences significant psychological distress during their time in Australia.
The challenges are associated with academic pressure, cultural shift, peer pressure, language barriers, financial constraints and uncertainty over jobs. On top of that, lack of access to the competent mental health further leads to crack in the walls. The stigma around mental health continues to deter international students from seeking help.
Story Topic and Angle
I am to write feature story exploring the growing mental health crisis among the international students. With an SEO title, “Struggling in Silence: The Mental Health Crisis Among Australian International Students.”
Angle: The story will explore the rising mental health crisis among the international students in Australia, with intent to under the root causes, and the strategies that can be employed for mitigating the problem. The story will be a strategic combination of personal narratives, insights and personal experiences to offer a holistic picture of “this silent struggle.” This story involves personal, academic and policy-driven angle seeking to explore new ways to address the mental health challenges based on the experiences of students who have experienced it and the professionals who have been involved in the process.
Publication and Target Audience
This feature story is ideally suited for The Conversation, a very respected platform, publishing news stories and research reports online, authored by academics with professionals for raising public awareness. The target audience for the feature includes university staffs, educators, policy-makers and the wider Australian public who interested in international students health and well-being.
The Conversation’s monthly audience includes readership over 10.7 million users, and 40 million page views including republication, many of whom have critical role in decision making in educational and health-care sectors.
Sources of Information
Interviewees
- Students experiencing/experienced mental health issues (directly or observed experiences).
| Name of Student：
Virginia |
Student | Name of Uni：
The university of Sydney |
Contact of student：
0407861094 |
Available through phone or chat |
| Name of Student：
Luna |
Student | Name of Uni：
The university of Sydney |
Contact of student:
0472900153 |
Available through phone or chat |
Online Sources
- News websites like ABC News, SBS Australia cover student mental health
- Official organisational reports and statements: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, National Mental Health Commission, SANE Australia, Beyond Blue, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
- Case study: University of Sydney’s Student Mental Wellbeing Strategy
Multimedia, Hypertext, and Interactivity
- Embed interviews photos, excerpts, from the interviews to highlight experiences.
- Use of infographics and charts to visualise mental health statistics.
- Use hyperlinks from online resources, academic papers, university resources and support organisation.
- Include an anonymous, quick mental health quiz at the end.
- Provide a comment section to encourage interactions and student-led sharing of experiences.
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