[MIT CSSA Outreach] From "Dr. Hsi" at MIT Medical

[lugao]

Dear friends:

The recent Virginia Tech tragedy reminded us about the importance of mental
health. Some people may also have questions and concerns that are related to
mental health, life issues, relationship negotiation, etc. Please read the
following message and forward it to your friends, anyone your truly care about.
Many thanks.

MIT CSSA

----- Forwarded message from HSIX at med.mit.edu -----
    Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:44:41 -0500
    From: Xiaolu Hsi <HSIX at med.mit.edu>
Reply-To: Xiaolu Hsi <HSIX at med.mit.edu>
 Subject: Re: From "Dr. Hsi" at MIT Medical
      To: Lu GAO <lugao at mit.edu>

Hi, Gao Lu:

Greetings from MIT Medical again!

I am writing to follow up with our previous email and to introduce
myself to our Chinese student and scholar community.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist (counselor) at MIT Medical’s
mental health department.  I came to U.S. from China myself as a
graduate student many years ago.  I have worked in university and
college settings both here and back home in China for the past 24 ½
years, teaching as well as working a college mental health professional.
I have gone back to China to teach psychotherapy and college mental
health annually and consult to college counseling centers such as the
ones at Tsinghua University, Beihang and PKU,  I have worked in mental
health services here at MIT, at Harvard and also Tufts University.

Coming to school, graduate and college, in U.S. is an exciting,
rewarding and also complicated, sometimes difficult experience.  MIT’s
mental health services and other student supportive services are here to
support and help our students to have a satisfying as well as successful
experiences.  Since I came to work at MIT six years ago, I have followed
many of the issues important to Chinese students via such websites as
mitbbs.com and through working with many Chinese students.  Our Chinese
students share very similar opportunities and challenges as the American
students in academic work and professional development.  We also have
experiences and challenges that are culturally unique and
social-historically specific. It may be too simplistic to think that
problems are due to not having “the right attitude/mindset”(心态) and
everything will be fine if only some “just adjust his/her mindset”.
Often there is also fear that it is an indication of major mental
disorder (变态) if one has some struggles.

A part of what we all do at MIT Medical’s Mental Health Services is
to discuss any issues that students are concerned about. The most common
ones we often have are about their academic experience (right field?
Right program? Anxiety about qualifying exams? enough progress? Etc.)
and their social, relational experience (w/ advisor, with
family/parents, w/ boyfriend/girlfriend, w/ roommate, etc.  or the
aftermath reaction to a traumatic incident such as the murder recently
at the Virginia Tech).  The conversations are intended to be open
discussion, psycho-educational about emotional health and growth,
private and confidential (except when there is risk of safety, to a
student him/herself or to anyone else).  In addition to direct mental
health services such as counseling, we also help students access other
student support services such as the deans, housemasters, graduate
administrators or departments. Students often find it helpful to talk
about ALL, not just the academic aspects of this experience, especially
talk with someone, friends or professionals.

It is quite easy, not to mention free, to make use of our service.
Students’ visits to us are covered by their tuition. They just need to
call 3-2916 for a triage appointment.  Students often get to see a
provider/counselor within a week.  We are located on the third floor of
MIT Medical. There are also walk-in hours every afternoon and students
can be seen for urgent needs as they come.  I will be happy to meet with
any students in group or individually should there be any questions,
curiosity or concerns of using student support services such as ours or
others.

I hope this is useful.  I look forward to collaborating with CSSA in
support our Chinese students.  I have in the past come to meet with
students during CSSA “study break” and certainly would be happy to
come again should there be interests and such occasions. Students are
certainly welcome to use the "Ask Dr. Hsi" link on your website.

Wish everyone a happy, healthy and productive new year of OX!

Xiaolu Hsi





Xiaolu Hsi, Ph.D.
Psychologist
MIT Medical, E23-368
77 Mass. Ave.
Cambridge, Mass. 02139-4307
Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
hsix at med.mit.edu
617 253-2916

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