This study by Xin Hu and Catherine Flynn explores the mental health experiences of Queer International Students (QIS) in Victoria, Australia. Drawing on intersectionality theory and qualitative interviews with six participants, the research highlights how socio-cultural factors from students’ countries of origin—such as censorship, stigma, and legal restrictions on LGBTQ+ identities—continue to influence their help-seeking behaviours in Australia. Many QIS face compounded barriers due to their intersecting identities, including race, sexuality, gender, and international status.
Participants reported challenges in accessing mental health support, including mistrust of services, lack of culturally competent care, and fragmented service systems. Campus-based counselling was often limited to academic concerns, while community services were perceived as inaccessible or not inclusive of intersectional needs. Social exclusion was also prevalent, both within ethnic communities and mainstream LGBTQ+ spaces, leading to isolation and negative mental health outcomes.
The study underscores the importance of culturally safe, inclusive, and intersectionality-informed mental health services. It recommends that universities take a more active role in supporting QIS by improving service capacity, visibility of support resources, and fostering inclusive environments. This pioneering research provides a foundation for future policy and practice aimed at addressing the unique mental health needs of QIS in Australia.
