Consistent with International Student Peer Network of ISPN’s Mental Wellness event in the Fall, we hosted a similar event this spring to support the mental health and wellness of graduate level international students within the School of Education last Friday, March 25th. The University Counseling Center’s Interim Director Ahmed Ghuman and Assistant Director-Outreach Bernadette Smith visited ISPN for an informational session sharing what is offered at Student Services.
International Students shared with the counselors challenges they face. These include the interconnected pressures of course work, feelings of isolation in a new culture and language barriers. Bernadette and Ahmed listened intently as ISPN students shared their struggles, leaning on each other for support. The counselors shared the different support services offered at University Counseling Center: Drop-in appointments, Group Counseling, Care Coordination, “Let’s Talk” 15-minute sessions, and a self-help online tool, TAO. Multi-lingual counseling services are also available in Mandarin, Romanian, Farsi, Urdu and Spanish other than English. The center also offers monthly “International Tea Time” meetings. To conclude their session with the ISPN, Bernadette and Ahmed led a gratitude exercise with the students. Four winners received their prizes in the following “Scattergories” game.
With the multitude of resources available at the counseling center, the ISPN plans to continue collaboration with the center to better support our peers into the future. This includes the possibilities of group sessions directed for International students at PittEd. A casual “International Tea Time for PittEd” on the 5th floor of Posvar is also in conversation. ISPN is open to suggestions for other activities that promote the mental health and wellbeing of our peers.
By William J Schoy IV, Yuan Gao