Although one’s mental health is a personal matter and responsibility, we urge you to be open with GEO about anything in your health history regarding mental health conditions. Maintaining good mental health while away from Duke's campus is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Disclosing this information will help you plan with others so that the necessary support will be in place while you're away.
Traveling abroad and adjusting to another culture can be a stressful experience even as it’s also an enjoyable one. It’s not unusual for such stresses to lead to a flare-up or reemergence of a mental health condition.
A few words of advice as you choose a program:
- If you are currently being treated for a mental health condition, discuss the advisability of participating in a study abroad program with your mental health provider. You may determine that based on your current symptoms, postponing or making adjustments to your plans is in your best interest.
- Make sure you have a supplemental insurance policy for your time away that will cover mental health services, especially counseling and other outpatient services.
- Research mental health services in your host country well in advance of your departure. Be aware that mental health support services vary worldwide. It is absolutely essential for you to know if, what, and where the services you may need are available.
- Well in advance of your departure, work with your mental health practitioner to develop a plan to continue treatment while you are away. Usually, it is not possible to continue treatment with your U.S.-based mental health practitioner while you are abroad as licensing laws and liability insurance in the U.S. often prohibit psychotherapy practiced across international lines.
- Submit a complete and accurate medical history, including all current medications on the pre-departure forms provided by GEO and/or the program provider.
- Review and follow the advice on the CDC page on Traveling Abroad With Medicine. In many countries, amphetamine-based medications used for attention deficit disorders are illegal or highly restricted. Research the laws and regulations in your host country and make arrangements with your current mental health provider for you to use alternate medications if necessary. Addresses and national statutes for most countries can be found at the International Narcotics Control Board.
- Research the availability of medications in your host country. Supplies can vary widely in different countries so make sure that you have a plan to access the medications that you need.