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On World Mental Health Day, let’s remember migrant domestic workers

Her life in limbo, Anna* had been sleeping in a park at Yau Ma Tei for two nights. Unable to cope with a difficult work environment, she had quit her job and planned to fly back home to the Philippines. But life had a surprise in store for her -- Anna tested positive for COVID-19.

“The Coronavirus changed everything,” Anna said. 

Queuing up at the public hospital was an exercise in futility. She was told to undergo quarantine at home. Only Anna had no home to go to. Living in the park at the mercy of the harsh cold and rain, Anna felt abandoned, rejected and lonely. 

Though Anna was finally rescued by HELP and placed in a safe shelter, her mental health took a toll as she tested positive for the virus thrice before being able to fly back to the Philippines. Not being able to go back home, losing her source of income, and fear, made Anna feel dejected and anxious. 

“I couldn’t sleep at night and kept thinking about why that happened to me. I felt confused and disconnected from everything,” Anna said.

HELP provided Anna with mental health counselling under the MeHeal programme. She was paired with a counsellor who spoke to her via video calls. Anna was overwhelmed by sadness, fear, and grief. The counsellor helped her develop resilience, deal with symptoms and improve her mental wellness.

Finally, after two months of living in isolation under quarantine arrangements, Anna was reunited with her family in the Philippines but her traumatic experiences needed healing and a long recovery process.

“On the one hand, I’m happy to be in the Philippines and to be able to provide for my family,” she said, adding that “on the other hand, it’s just so difficult to forget that difficult period in my life. I worry it will happen again.”

Over a few months, Anna had one-on-one counselling sessions, giving her a safe space to share her experiences and concerns. She learnt how to regulate her emotions, understand her symptoms and work through her experiences. The MeHeal programme provided her with regular information, support and guidance.

“After MeHeal, things just seemed a little brighter. With all the challenges I faced, I feel I can still move forward and I can handle it now,” says Anna.

Still, Anna is among the lucky ones. 

Many migrant domestic workers go through abusive employment, traumatic experiences and legal proceedings without any mental health support. Many have to navigate through feelings of frustration, uncertainty or exhaustion even as they try to return to a normal life.

On World Mental Health Day on 10 October, let us remember the only way forward is to move together. We can do this by committing to support the domestic worker community to reach their full potential. This reflects HELP's vision of addressing mental health as a fundamental part of achieving justice. 

SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING

*Name changed to protect anonymity