Importance of Mental Health Support for Domestic Helpers

Domestic helpers are often undervalued and underappreciated, yet they perform an invaluable service.

Working long hours while managing overwhelming responsibilities and often feeling insecure due to restrictive work policies and little job protection, domestic helpers bear the brunt of increased stress levels and mental health problems. Still, there is limited support available for them.

In this article, we will explore what it's like to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world and look at how employers can provide better mental health support to ensure domestic helpers not only do their job well but also receive enhanced well-being benefits.

The Mental Health Challenges Faced by Domestic Helpers

Domestic workers face various mental health challenges that can be detrimental to their overall well-being. One of the most significant challenges is isolation. Many domestic helpers are far away from their families and support networks, which can lead to feelings of loneliness, homesickness, and social isolation.

Culture shock is another significant challenge for domestic workers, especially those who come from countries with different cultural norms and practices. Helpers may struggle to adjust to the local culture and social norms, leading to disorientation and anxiety.

Work-related stress is another major challenge for domestic helpers. They often work long hours and have few opportunities for rest or leisure activities resulting in physical and mental exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.

Statistics and studies highlight the severity of these challenges. According to a survey by Mission for Migrant Workers, around 40% of domestic helpers experience mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

A MDPI research found that domestic helpers experience higher levels of stress and lower levels of life satisfaction compared to other working. These findings underscore the urgent need for mental health support services for domestic helpers.

The Importance of Mental Health Support

Mental health support is crucial for domestic helpers in, both for their well-being and the well-being of the families they work for. Without proper mental health support, domestic helpers may struggle to cope with the challenges of their work.

They may experience various mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. This can affect their well-being and the quality of care they provide to the families they work for.

The Role of NGOs

Fortunately, various mental health support services can help domestic helpers manage their mental health and well-being.

For example, several NGOs and community organizations offer free counseling and mental health support services specifically for domestic helpers. Most of the support are for people who are emotionally affected or for employment related matters.

These services provide a safe and supportive space for domestic workers to discuss their problems and receive professional support and guidance from a therapist.

The Role of Employers

In addition to these organizations, some employers also offer mental health support to their domestic helpers as part of their employment package. For example, some employers provide regular rest days, access to medical services, and counseling services as part of their employment package. Bring more motivation to the worker will help as well to increase retention rate and commitment.

These initiatives can help to alleviate some of the stress and isolation experienced by helpers and provide them with support to maintain good mental health.

The Role of The Government

Mental health awareness is still in its early stages, but various countries are taking steps to raise awareness. Some government are already implementing policies and initiatives to support the mental health of foreign domestic workers.

For example, the government could establish a dedicated mental health hotline or referral service for domestic helpers, providing them access to confidential and culturally sensitive therapy and counseling services.

The government could also work with NGOs and community organizations to train domestic helpers on stress management, coping strategies, and self-care.

Overcoming Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Support

Accessing mental health support can be challenging for domestic helpers, as they face many barriers that can make it challenging to seek help. These include cultural and linguistic barriers, financial barriers, and fear of stigma.

For example, some helpers may not be familiar with the mental health system or may not speak the local language, which can make it difficult to access services. Additionally, some helpers may not have the financial resources to pay for mental health support or may be hesitant to seek help due to the stigma associated with mental illness.

To overcome these barriers and improve access to mental health support for domestic helpers, it is essential to provide culturally sensitive and accessible services tailored to this population's unique needs.

This can include offering services in the language(s) spoken by helpers, providing information in a clear and easy-to-understand format, and working with community organizations to increase awareness about the importance of mental health and reduce stigma.

One approach to improving access to mental health support is providing free or low-cost services designed explicitly for domestic helpers. Another method is to provide training and education to domestic helpers and their employers on mental health and well-being.

This can help to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and reduce stigma, as well as provide helpers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their mental health and well-being.

Conclusion

Mental health support for domestic helpers is an important issue because of the challenges they face while working. These challenges can include isolation, culture shock, and work-related stress. Studies have shown that these challenges are severe and can lead to adverse mental health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to provide mental health support for domestic helpers.

Your support can improve their well-being and the well-being of the families they work for. Various support services for mental health are available to help domestic helpers.