In recent years, Canada has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for higher education, attracting nearly a million international students, with an expected total of 1.1 million as of 2024. While the promise of a high-quality education, worldwide exposure, and professional opportunities entices students from all over the world, an unseen burden frequently shadows their experience: mental health struggles.
According to a report by the Canadian Immigrant, international students face a markedly elevated risk of psychological discomfort in comparison to domestic students. Factors such as cultural shock, financial pressure, academic stress, isolation, and uncertainty about the future all contribute to rising rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The report further indicates that roughly 65% of international students reported feeling “frequently stressed,” with more than half dealing with loneliness every week.
It is crucial to emphasize that cultural displacement plays a significant role in exacerbating these issues. Many students arrive in Canada with little or no local support network, often for the first time living away from family and familiar cultural norms. Research has shown that such displacement can increase feelings of alienation and hinder students’ ability to adjust socially and academically.
In a series of conversations with five international students in Ontario—including a student leader and four students from other institutions—the human face behind these statistics became more apparent.
Mental Health Doesn’t Have a Nationality.
Moyo Babalola, a former Graduate Student Vice President at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, shared a candid reflection:
“People often look at international students and think we’re lucky to be here, but they don’t see what happens behind the smiles. Many of us arrive full of hope and excitement, dreaming of new opportunities. But once we settle in, reality hits hard. We deal with homesickness, the weight of academic pressure, and the constant feeling that failure isn’t an option. On top of that, cultural stigma around mental health makes it even harder to open up. So, many of us carry these struggles silently, pretending we’re okay when we’re not. I mean…you don’t want your fellow African students to think you are weak, do you?”
Moyo shared that, despite universities offering mental health services, many international students hesitate to utilize them. Some individuals are unaware of the available support, while others believe that these services fail to adequately understand or address their cultural and language needs. This experience aligns with the findings from the Canadian Bureau for International Education, which indicate that many university support systems lack culturally competent care, leaving students feeling unseen and unsupported.
Silent Battles on Campus
For Kareem Oluwa, a master’s student at the University of Niagara Falls, the isolation hit harder than expected:
“Back home, I was always surrounded by friends and family, so I never really felt alone. Here, it’s different. Everyone is caught up in their own lives, and when winter comes, the loneliness feels even heavier. Some days, it feels like I’m just drifting through the semester, invisible to the world around me. I don’t want to burden anyone with my problems, so I just keep it all to myself.”
Kareem’s experience reflects what many international students go through in their first year. The long, cold winters in Canada can make everything feel heavier, deepening feelings of loneliness and sadness. Psychologists have long recognized a connection between seasonal changes and depressive symptoms, a condition often known as Seasonal affective disorder. For students far from home, this can make the adjustment period even more difficult.
Balancing Survival and Belonging
Hubert Asamoah, a student at Mohawk College, emphasized how financial stress exacerbates emotional strain.
“You wake up thinking about assignments and deadlines, but also about how to afford next month’s rent. It’s like living in two battles at once. It’s hard to think about your mental health when you’re constantly worrying about whether you’ll be okay tomorrow.”
For many overseas students, the need to work part-time to support themselves can lead to chronic tiredness and feelings of isolation. Studies by the Canadian Bureau for International Education note that over 50% of international students work while studying, with many admitting that balancing job and academics has a direct impact on their mental health.
“We don’t always feel understood.”
Gaganpreet Patel, a student at Niagara College, expressed frustration with the lack of personalized support:
“I went to see a counselor once, but it didn’t really help. I was struggling with feeling out of place, missing home, and the pressure my family puts on me back in India. Instead of addressing any of that, all I got were some breathing exercises. It felt like no one truly understood what I was going through.“
Gaganpreet’s concern reflects a larger issue highlighted in national reports: while mental health services exist, they frequently fail to address the cultural context of the struggles faced by international students. The Canadian Mental Health Association has stressed the importance of culturally relevant approaches in making these services more accessible and effective.
A Call for Deeper, Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Care
The experiences of Moyo, Kareem, Hubert, and Gaganpreet share a common thread: international students often face significant emotional pressures, which they frequently deal with in silence. While Canada has made strides in increasing campus mental health services, there remains much to be done to ensure that these services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally appropriate. This involves training counsellors in intercultural communication, increasing outreach to inform students about available services, and investing in peer-to-peer mental health initiatives that foster community.
As Canada continues to welcome international students, their mental health must be viewed not as an individual problem but as a social responsibility. Addressing these concerns can help transform their experiences from a state of silent struggle to one of collective strength.