Mental health support while abroad

Off on an international assignment with your family? Don’t underestimate the impact relocating can have on mental health.

Learn more about the challenges expats face and where you can turn to for support.

Mental and behavioural health conditions

Did you know that expatriates are more likely to struggle with stress, anxiety, depression and alcohol/substance abuse? Yet only 6% of people planning to live abroad while working on assignment expressed concern in an Aetna International survey about encountering mental health issues while away.¹

And if you or your family members accompanying you have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an autism spectrum disorder, eating disorder or other mental health condition, finding the right specialists and resources in your destination can be tricky.

Learn more about these challenges and where you can turn to for support.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness or fear. Everyone feels anxiety sometimes. But in some people, anxiety becomes so powerful that it affects their relationships, work and home life.

There are many types of anxiety disorders. Some of the more common ones are:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Social anxiety disorder

Read more about types of anxiety disorders
Take an Anxiety Assessment

You can speak to our CARE team for international anxiety resources by contacting Aetna International in your region.

Depression

Depression can affect your thoughts, mood, health and behavior. It’s more than just “feeling sad.” 

Depression is a treatable condition. Usually, a combination of therapy and medicine is effective. But if it’s not treated, it can get worse.

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of depression

You can speak to our CARE team for international depression resources by contacting Aetna International in your region.

Substance abuse

Many people think that substance abuse is a weakness. But when substances are controlling you, it takes more than a strong will to stop. Substance abuse can occur with alcohol, prescription drugs or street drugs. Alcohol abuse is the most common type of substance abuse.

Treatment can get you on the right path. Support can help you develop strategies to:

• Handle physical and psychological withdrawal
• Deal with triggers
• Manage everyday stress
• Meet your responsibilities

Read more about managing stress

You can speak to our CARE team for eating disorder resources by contacting Aetna International in your region.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

People diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have problems paying attention or concentrating. They can’t seem to follow directions and can get easily bored with tasks. ADHD can make it hard for children to function at school, and it can continue into adulthood.

What you can do as a parent

You can speak to our CARE team for international ADHD resources by contacting Aetna International in your region.

Autism spectrum disorder

Autism is one of a group of disorders that fall under the term “autism spectrum disorder.” Other autism spectrum disorders include Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. Symptoms are related to social problems, communication problems or repetitive behaviors. The severity of the symptoms will be different in each person.

Read more about autism spectrum disorders

You can speak to our CARE team for international autism spectrum disorder resources by contacting Aetna International in your region.

Eating disorders

You’re more than what you weigh. But you might lose sight of this fact if you have an eating disorder. When an obsession with weight or food takes over, it can hurt your health and self-image and even be life-threatening.  It is important to get help for even a mild eating disorder.

Read more about eating disorders

You can speak to our CARE team for eating disorder resources by contacting Aetna International in your region. 

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