Prevalence and correlates of mental health symptoms and disorders among US international college students.

This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of mental health (MH) symptoms and diagnoses in international college students in the United States. The sample included 44,851 degree-seeking undergraduate students (42,428 domestic students and 2,423 international students). Logistic regression analyses were conducted using international student status to predict MH symptoms and diagnoses from the Spring 2017 administration of the ACHA-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA). International students were less likely than domestic students to report a diagnosis of anxiety, comorbid depression and anxiety, or other psychiatric diagnoses. International students were more likely to report suicide attempts and feeling overwhelmingly depressed. Among international students studying in the US, lower rates of MH diagnoses despite higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicide attempts mirror similar trends seen in American-born minority students. University campuses should consider culturally sensitive and targeted psychoeducation, mental health services, and outreach programming.