Speaking of the Unspeakable: Mental Health Issues while Studying Abroad
Feeling like a child again! When we were doing a tour to Dingle, we stopped at a beach. Although it was cold, I did not hesitate to enjoy the water!
I’m on antidepressants. Bam, it’s out there. Honestly, when I saw the suggestion to write about mental health while studying abroad, I wasn’t quite sure on how to start. But maybe the best way is simply to be open – because I do have a lot to say.
One of my biggest fears when planning on studying in a foreign country was my mental health. I had just started seeing a psychiatrist and was prescribed antidepressants when September slowly came up. With a stack of my meds in my suitcase, I began my journey to Ireland and expected the worst.
To my surprise, it is definitely not as bad as I made it out beforehand. Even during orientation week, Mary I presented a lot of options on who to talk to and what to do when talking about mental health. In comparison to my hometown in Germany, you can tell that they really do care and take this matter seriously.
But how exactly do I cope with studying abroad with mental health issues? First of all, of course I am not “cured”, and Ireland is not going to magically fix that – but it definitely helps! Whether I go for a well-deserved mental health walk in the People’s Park or by the river, going for a mental health shopping trip to Lidl for my favourite “Spaßgetränk” (that’s what we call our favourite soft drinks in Germany) or having a chat with my new friends from Erasmus – Ireland has definitely some options.
Living and studying here is a good decision, and it’s the small things that make life even more bearable sometimes: Lecturers who ask you about your week and want to know if you have any questions left (not only including the content of the lecture), the kindness of almost every stranger or even having a smoke break on the colourful campus.
You may ask “Devis, what if you get homesick???” Well, ladies, gentlemen and non-binary people – I facetime with my friends and family. They are making sure to check on me regularly, ask me what I need and give me the support I sometimes need, and for that I’m always grateful. So, if you struggle with mental health and want to know if it’s possible to study abroad: Yes, it is. My advice for you: Prepare yourself, try not to overthink and go out of your comfort zone. Soon, you will find lots of friends in Ireland who will understand and support you in any way possible - maybe even friends who cook for you when you are mentally not able for it, or take care of you when you are sick (cheers to Nele!).
And if it gets bad – know that Mary I is willing to help. For example, they offer free Counselling Service for all students to talk about their difficulties in a safe, confidential and reflective space, where you can explore the potential for change, build on your self-care and develop strategies to address your problems or mental health condition.
Cheers and take care everybody!
By Devis Waiß, Germany
