Mental Health

Traveling or living abroad can affect mental health

Travel has many benefits, but it can also be stressful. Mental health services vary by country and may not be available or work in the same way as in the United States. Local laws and practices abroad may be different from U.S. standards. Some aspects of travel and life abroad may negatively affect your mood and well-being or make pre-existing mental health conditions worse.

These include: 

• Change of routines: Travel and relocation can disrupt regular routines such as sleep patterns, mealtimes, and daily activities. This can lead to feelings of disorientation and unease.
• Stressful situations: When you experience unfamiliar situations, you can feel stressed or anxious. Flight delays, language barriers, or being away from family and friends can cause unexpected stress.
• Jet lag and fatigue: Crossing time zones can cause jet lag.
  • You may have trouble sleeping. This can make you feel tired and irritable.
  • Jet lag can affect your mood, ability to focus, and digestion.
• Cultural adjustment and culture shock: Experiencing new cultures is exciting, but it can be difficult to adjust to new environments, languages, social norms, food, and clothing.  Culture shock is a feeling of disorientation you might experience in a new or unfamiliar culture. It can be brief or last several months. It can affect even experienced travelers and residents abroad.

The symptoms of culture shock can include:

• irritability
• sleeplessness
• lack of interest
• feelings of sadness
• compulsive or excessive eating or drinking
• negative stereotyping of the local people
• recurring minor illnesses

Before you go:

• Verify that your medications are legal in your destination country. Some medications that are legal in the United States, are not legal elsewhere.
• Bring enough medication for your trip, plus extra in case of unexpected delays.
• Keep medications in their original packaging. Pack them in your carry-on luggage.  
• Carry copies of your prescriptions. 
• Make sure you understand what medical services your health insurance covers outside of the United States.
• Review the Destination Information Page for destination-specific information on whether mental health care and crisis services are available and accessible.

Get help

If you need help, contact a local health care provider, hospital, or emergency services. Review the Destination Information Page for the contact information specific to your travel destination.

If you or someone you are traveling with is experiencing emotional distress or having thoughts of suicide, seek help immediately. Free and confidential emotional support may be available through local crisis services. Review your location’s Destination Information Page for emergency phone numbers and contact information.

• If you are concerned about the mental wellbeing of a U.S. citizen who is abroad, you may also reach out to the U.S. embassy or consulate in that destination.

Veterans Affairs Services and support

If you or someone you are traveling with is a U.S. service member, veteran, or eligible family member experiencing mental health challenges or a crisis while abroad, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources are available to help.

The VA provides mental health services and crisis support to eligible veterans and service members, including those living or traveling outside the United States.

Helpful resources

For immediate help, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or access the following VA resources:

• International resources
• Crisis-support resources
• Veterans’ crisis line