International students comprise an increasingly larger proportion of higher education students globally. Empirical evidence about the health and well-being of these students is, however, limited. We sought to examine the health and well-being of international students, primarily from Asian countries, attending the University of Tasmania, Australia, using domestic students as a comparison group. Ethics approval was given to invite (via email) all currently enrolled students to participate in the study by completing a pilot-tested, online survey. The survey was completed by 382 international students (response rate = 8.9%) and 1013 domestic students (9.2%). Independent samples t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests were used for bivariate comparisons between international and domestic students, and between subgroups of international students. Regression models were used to examine the associations between student status (international vs. domestic) and health outcomes, controlling for demographic and enrolment variables. International students, particularly male students, were found to be at increased risk of several adverse health outcomes while also being less likely to seek help for mental health and related problems. The findings indicate the need for accessible, targeted, culturally-sensitive health promotion and early intervention programs.

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ObjectiveTasmania is one of the 12 Australian sites chosen to participate in the National Suicide Prevention Trial. The Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, was contracted to conduct a local‐level, process evaluation of this initiative using a Participatory Action Research approach, with the objective of this article to summarise progress and key learnings from the local evaluation to date.DesignEmpowerment and Utilisation‐Focus Evaluation theoretical approaches informed the conduct of process evaluation activities, within an overarching participatory action research approach.SettingThree participating regions in Tasmania were included as follows: Launceston, the North‐West and Break O'Day.ParticipantsWorking group members, service providers and other relevant stakeholders.InterventionsMixed‐methods surveys, field observations and content analysis were conducted.ResultsSurvey results indicated that most working group members understood the concept of a “systems‐based” approach to suicide prevention. Most participants believed that working group structures/functions engaged community members with lived experience, while around half believed that these structures/functions facilitated relationships with local services and that working group action plans adequately addressed issues of capacity building and sustainability. Preliminary field data suggested that awareness raising, engagement and face‐to‐face capacity‐building activities focused on the wider community were preferred to activities targeting specific populations.ConclusionThese preliminary findings suggest ambivalence among key stakeholders concerning the application of a systems‐based approach to suicide prevention in regional areas of Tasmania. Consistent with a participatory action research approach, the findings will inform the evolution of trial site activity for the remainder of the trial and, in due course, the implementation of future such initiatives.

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