From the academic year 2007/08 to 2008/09, the enrollment of international students in the United States increased 7.7% from 623,805 to 671,616 (Institute of International Education [IIE], 2009a). Chinese international students facing adjustment challenges are vulnerable to mental health problems and may experience depression. Past studies have focused on Chinese immigrants, or Chinese elderly, or American born Chinese adolescents/college students/early adults (Chang, 2001; Kung, 2004). However, studies on the prevalence of depression, help-seeking preferences, and factors contributing to the depressive symptoms and help-seeking preferences from mental health professionals among Chinese international students studying in the United States are limited. The principal goal of this study was to investigate factors contributing to occurrence of depressive symptoms and help-seeking from mental health professionals among Chinese international students. The study used a cross-sectional research design involving mainly quantitative data collection. Purposive sampling was applied to Chinese students who held an international student visa (F1) enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs at a major university in the southwestern state in the United States. The director of International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) from that university identified and sent out the email invitations to all Chinese international students enrolled at that time. Eligible participants were contacted to complete the survey online. Results indicated that, among 202 Chinese international students who had been living in the United States for an average of 1.7 years, the prevalence of having depressive symptoms was 47.5%. Chinese international students who experienced anxiety symptoms and agreed that emotional problems resolve themselves were more likely to have depressive symptoms. The majority of the Chinese international students chose not to use psychological counseling and mental health services to deal with emotional and personal distress. The study results showed that Chinese international students who were more likely to seek help from mental health professionals were more likely to have the following characteristics: to be married, to have a positive attitude towards seeking psychological help, to be invited to social activities by Americans, to visit medical doctors, and to seek religious consultation for health problems.