People with psychiatric disabilities can thrive on international programs with the right tools and preparation before leaving. The National Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Exchange recently developed Psychiatric Disabilities: Considerations for Exchange Participants with Mental Health Conditions, a tip sheet focusing on key concerns for people with conditions such as depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, borderline personality disorder, seasonal affective disorder, etc. who are considering going abroad.

Psychiatric Disabilities: Considerations for Exchange Participants with Mental Health Conditions includes:

• Questions to consider when preparing to participate in an international experience
• Planning for reasonable accommodations or services while abroad
• Traveling with medications
• Common legal questions
• Accessing health and medical services abroad
• Cultural and educational differences abroad
• Disclosing a psychiatric disability
• And more!

“I wasn’t diagnosed nor did I have symptoms until I was 26 or 27. Only after this road to recovery, graduating from law school and learning about Mental Disability Rights International, did I decide to incorporate all of these passions for international human rights work, disability and working in Latin America.” Alison Hillman, Director of Mental Disability Rights International’s Americas Advocacy Initiative, Washington, DC

Go to http://www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets/psychdisability/ and start planning your international experience today!