HEALTH CARE & HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE UNITED STATES

Mental Health Care

The mental health care system in the United States is designed for all people, not just people with certain mental illnesses. Normal, healthy people who are experiencing extreme stress and/or major life changes can also get help from a mental health care provider.

Studying at a university is challenging in any environment. It is especially challenging to study in a foreign environment, away from family and cultural support. Many international students and family members experience extreme stress while facing this challenge. If you find yourself or your family members experiencing extreme stress, it is important for you to know that you can get help.

Students:
The MSU Counseling Center offers services especially designed to care for the mental health of international students. To learn more about these services, please visit the following web page: http://www.couns.msu.edu/international.htm

As a full-time MSU student, you may visit a counselor at the MSU Counseling Center up to eight times per year free of charge. Psychiatric care is also available to you through the Olin Psychiatry Clinic. Three psychiatric visits are free to full-time students. If you need additional care, the Chickering Group policy will partially cover the cost of additional visits. If you prefer to use a private health insurance policy, be careful – not all private insurance policies cover mental health care.

Scholars:
If you are an employee of MSU, you may use the counseling services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) free of charge. To learn more about these services, please visit the following web page: http://uphys.msu.edu/eap/index.html

If you need further assistance, the EAP can give you a referral to another provider. Insurance benefits for mental health care will depend on your individual insurance policy. Any scholar who purchases the Chickering Group insurance policy will be partially covered for the costs of any individual mental health care. If you prefer to use a private health insurance policy, be careful – not all private insurance policies cover mental health care.

Family Members:
The MSU Counseling Center offers a support group especially designed to care for the mental health of the family members of international students. The support group is called “Cookies and Conversation”. Refreshments are provided at each meeting. Meetings take place every Tuesday from 10:30am to 12:00pm in the Cherry Lane Community Center. If you have questions about this group, please call (517) 355-1101 or (517) 353-9499.

Any family member of an international student who purchases the Chickering Group insurance policy will be partially covered for the costs of any individual mental health care. If you prefer to use a private health insurance policy, be careful – not all private insurance policies cover mental health care.