Why do students who have mental health issues decide to study abroad? Qualitative research on mental health issues as a push factor for international students in Japan

Various factors have been reported to encourage students to study abroad and choose their destination, including academic and economic factors. Simultaneously, it has been reported that international students are at high risk of developing mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, isolation, and even suicide, due to a number of driving forces. Given that prospective international students who go abroad are part of the population with low life satisfaction, why do they take such a risk to go abroad? In this study, interviews with 10 international students studying at a national university in Japan revealed that they face several difficulties in their destination country that may cause them to experience mental health problems. It also revealed that mental health problems were among the factors that influenced the international students’ decision to study abroad. For some students, studying abroad was a way to escape a stressful previous environment in which they felt psychologically maladjusted, and getting away from such a stressful environment was one of the main reasons behind their decision to go abroad. Some others reported that their psychological distress played a secondary role in their decision and that they had other primary reasons for choosing to study abroad. Some students chose to study abroad not in spite of, but because of, psychological difficulties in their home countries, suggesting that more attention must be paid to mental health issues as a factor driving students to study abroad. • Mental health issues can be a factor that encourage students to study abroad. • Students face difficulties studying abroad, which affect their mental health. • Overcoming hardships in studying abroad can improve students’ confidence.