Mental Health

Travelers with mental health concerns should take proactive steps to ensure the most successful experience possible. This means talking to a health care provider about how to continue treatment while abroad. Travelers should:

• Confirm that all medications taken are legal in the destination by checking the country’s embassy and consulate website or calling directly.
• Have access to an adequate supply of medications (See Medications).
• Take steps to continue therapy. Some travelers “meet” with their therapist via web conference, while others use UnitedHealthcare Global's travel assistance service to identify a qualified therapist on site.

Important Considerations

While living in another environment is a good way to change a daily routine, it is important for travelers who are experiencing difficulties (relationship, health, emotional, substance abuse, etc.) not to expect a vacation from these issues. Traveling is not a "geographic cure" for concerns and problems at home. Traveling and living in a foreign environment can create unexpected physical and emotional stress, which can exacerbate otherwise mild disorders. Travelers should be prepared to adjust to potentially dramatic changes in climate, diet, and other conditions that may seriously disrupt accustomed patterns of behavior.

In the event that a traveler's condition is serious, it may be best to focus on personal health first and postpone travel until a later time.

Before departure, travelers are encouraged to visit the University Counseling Center to discuss individually tailored mental health self-care strategies with a counselor. In addition, if counseling while abroad is preferred or prescribed (especially for long-term itineraries), UnitedHealthcare Global's medical assistance covers therapy sessions internationally.

For more resources, click here and select "Mental Health."