Building Resilience: Workshop Successfully Held to Support International Students
增强韧性：支持留学生专题工作坊圆满举行
The Chinese Community Council of Australia, Victoria Chapter (CCCAV), Lifeline Australia, and the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne successfully co-hosted Building Resilience: A Workshop for International Students on Friday 31 July 2026 at the University of Melbourne’s Arts West Building.
The workshop attracted approximately 80 participants, bringing together international students, mental health professionals, community leaders and volunteers for an evening of learning, discussion and practical support. The event reflected a shared commitment by the three partner organisations to promote student wellbeing, strengthen resilience and encourage help-seeking within culturally diverse communities.
The evening commenced with welcome remarks from Dr Qiuping Pan, followed by Abbivathana Deva of Lifeline Australia, who, as Master of Ceremonies, facilitated an engaging panel discussion featuring psychologists Maneesha Singh and Chenhong Xu.
Maneesha Singh, a registered psychologist and founder of ManAsha Psychology, shared both her professional expertise and lived experience as a former international student and first-generation migrant. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in mental health and community welfare, she discussed the importance of recognising emotional challenges early, overcoming stigma surrounding mental health, and creating culturally safe environments where individuals feel comfortable seeking support.
Chenhong Xu, a registered clinical psychologist and founder of Mind Body Heart Psychology, spoke about the unique experiences faced by international students and migrants. She highlighted how language, culture, identity, family expectations and the migration journey can profoundly influence wellbeing and relationships. She also emphasised the value of culturally responsive mental health care, particularly for people navigating life in a new country.
The moderated discussion explored many of the common challenges experienced by international students, including homesickness, academic pressure, loneliness, financial stress, cultural adjustment and balancing expectations from family and society. Participants were highly engaged throughout the session, contributing thoughtful questions and reflections during the Q&A segment.
Following the panel discussion, participants took part in facilitated round-table conversations, where they shared personal experiences, discussed practical coping strategies and explored ways to strengthen social connections and community support. The discussions highlighted the importance of resilience, belonging and peer networks in promoting wellbeing.
A key feature of the workshop was the introduction to Lifeline Australia’s Support Toolkit, presented by Abbivathana Deva and Varun Bharadwaj. The toolkit provides practical guidance on maintaining mental wellbeing, recognising signs of distress, supporting others and accessing professional assistance when needed. Participants also received mental health resources in English and Chinese, making it easier for international students from diverse cultural backgrounds to access wellbeing information and support services.
The workshop concluded with participant reflections, feedback and discussions on future opportunities for collaboration. The strong attendance and active participation demonstrated the growing need for initiatives that create safe spaces for conversations about mental health, resilience and wellbeing among international students.
CCCAV extends its sincere appreciation to Lifeline Australia, the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne, the workshop speakers, volunteers, and all participants who contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks are also extended to the organising working group, who have been working together since the beginning of the year to plan and deliver this successful workshop: Abbivathana Deva, Varun Bharadwaj, Dr Qiuping Pan, Shuangming Huang and Dr Jimmy Li.
The success of the workshop demonstrates what can be achieved when community organisations, mental health providers and educational institutions work together to support the wellbeing of international students. CCCAV looks forward to continuing partnerships that foster resilience, inclusion and meaningful community connections across Victoria’s multicultural communities.
