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Let's talk about the psychology of travel
A traveller's mental health guide
Travel is enjoyable, but sometimes it can be stressful.
Now travellers can plan a healthy trip with an easy-to-use aid to determine which psychological stressors can impact travel and prepare accordingly.
Please read the information below before using the aid.
Who is the aid for?
The aid was developed specifically for travellers – anyone who travels across a border. Whether you are going on vacation, a business trip, volunteering, visiting friends and relatives, or planning a long-term work assignment, this guide is for you.
The aid is also used by clinicians such as general practitioners, travel medicine specialists and mental health providers during consultations with travellers.
Why use this aid?
The aid is designed to address some of the psychological stressors related to travel. It helps travellers pinpoint areas that may need attention before departure and provides an overall understanding of how mental health can determine the success of a trip.
How do I use the aid?
The aid takes 5-10 minutes to complete.
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For travellers: Download and save the PDF to your device before using it and choose the answers from a dropdown menu. Once you record your answer, you cannot change it. You can opt to disclose the answers and score with your clinician. Your answers are not stored in any database and are not available to any one unless you disclose them.
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For clinicians: Download and save the PDF to your device to email or send the following link www.patmf.org/travel-mental-health to your patient prior to the consultation. If the traveller wants to disclose the answers and score, discuss them at the time of the appointment.
The score is tallied for each section and includes an overall total score. You must answer all the questions before your score appears.
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A green score suggests that stressors have been considered, but continued awareness to unexpected stressors is needed.
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An orange score suggests that certain stressors need to be addressed before departure.
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A red score suggests that the trip needs to be reconsidered with the help of a mental health provider.
How do I download the aid?
To use the aid, you will need to download and save it first to your mobile or computer.
The aid is in PDF format accessible through Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you don't have it installed, you can download the app for free here:
What are the features?
The aid includes 6 sections: Trip preparation, psychological stressors, physical considerations, environmental considerations, personal considerations, and destination considerations.
The aid is intended to address the overall risk of travel. It considers the length of travel, type of travel, motivation, differences between the home country and destination, pre-existing mental health conditions, mental health support available abroad, emergency plan in place, as well as physical and environmental stressors at the destination. All these factors play a role in determining the success and challenges of travel.
Who developed
the aid?
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Marius van Aswegen PhD, Industrial Psychologist | South Africa
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Tullia Marcolongo MA, Certificate in Travel Health | Canada
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Prof. Peter Felkai MD | Hungary
