World Mental Health Day Statement
Mental well-being has been spotlighted in the last few years, in part due to the devastating effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our mental and emotional health. A dedicated national hotline for mental health and an inter-agency task force on mental health has been started, and recently, a national mental health and well-being strategy was launched.
These are welcome initiatives. At the same time, some sectors of our community lack access to these mental health initiatives or face unique challenges that impact their mental well-being. HOME understands that this year, there have been two accounts of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) allegedly taking their own lives.
When an individual resorts to ending their life, it may stem from a multitude of factors, sometimes involving a complex blend of personal or work-related challenges. Nevertheless, we must be mindful of the circumstances uniquely faced by MDWs that may adversely affect their mental health.
Domestic work can be isolating. MDWs live and work in their employers’ homes, which can mean little or no privacy, and often work long hours. Many MDWs we encounter do not have weekly rest days, which could offer physical and mental respite from their work. MDWs who have restricted access to their mobile phones are cut off from accessing helplines, or reaching out to their loved ones if they are facing issues. Being unable to communicate regularly with their families adds to their stress—many MDWs have young children, and being able to check in with them takes away feelings of homesickness and anxiety. MDWs are usually unable to leave exploitative living and working conditions as they require their employers’ permission to change jobs. Over the years, HOME has heard accounts of MDWs who had purportedly taken their lives after facing very oppressive conditions, such as being confined to the house, being denied rest days or access to mobile phones, and being disallowed from communicating with anyone outside of the household.
Further, as detailed in our report, Invisible Wounds, emotionally abusive behaviours by employers (such as insults, threats, causing humiliation and exerting undue control) can result in diminished confidence, sadness, feelings of helplessness and have detrimental effects on MDWs’ sense of identity and self-worth.
As we move towards greater mental health awareness and seek collective solutions to strengthen our mental resilience, we must also seek to address structural contributors to poor mental health, particularly for vulnerable persons such as MDWs. Basic labour and social protections, such as daily rest, regular and 24-hour days off, reasonable access to communication devices, and being empowered to reject exploitative working conditions, will go a long way in protecting their mental well-being. Employers should also display empathy and respect towards their employees, and be cognizant of the inherent power imbalance between them.
On this World Mental Health Day, our hope is for everyone to have meaningful access to resources to support their mental well-being, and for a kinder, more equitable society.