Being far from home is hard. Being far from home with no coverage is harder.
Get a QuoteBeing a student far from home is hard. Being a student far from home with a mental health issue and no coverage is harder. Most basic travel insurance covers broken bones but quietly skips mental health — here's what to look for and why it matters.
International students face isolation, culture shock, academic pressure, and being far from support networks. Mental health issues are common, and accessing care in a foreign country without coverage is expensive — a single session with a psychologist can cost $150–$250+.
Standard emergency medical travel insurance covers accidents and physical illnesses — not mental health counselling, therapy, or psychiatric care. Some policies explicitly exclude mental health conditions entirely.
Student travel insurance plans typically include mental health benefits: up to $1,000 for psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor visits. It's not unlimited, but it's enough to get started with professional support.
Your insurance assistance line can direct you to English-speaking mental health professionals. In Canada, university counselling services are often a free first step — your insurance can cover the professional care that follows.
Student plans include up to $1,000 for mental health support — because being far from home is hard enough without a gap in coverage.
Get a Quote Learn more about student plansOne night in a Canadian ICU can top $14,000 — without coverage, that's on you.
Cost reality