The Silent Mental Health Crisis Among Migrant Workers

Every day, a large number of people move to other nations or cities in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Many are employed as caretakers, construction workers, housemaids, or street vendors, all of whom are essential to the efficient operation of urban life. Their mental and emotional health, however, receives little consideration. Despite discussions that usually centre on compensation and legal rights, the mental health of migrant and domestic workers remains an invisible epidemic. 

Read More: Children of blue-collar workers in India face higher risks of depression and anxiety

A Life in Motion, a Mind Under Strain 

Like any other type of travel, migration is anything but relaxing for workers who migrate and their families. Whether travelling from the Philippines to Dubai or from Bihar to Mumbai, the trip is filled with psychological turmoil. By definition, migrant workers are leaving behind their cultural identity, familiar locations, and social networks in order to arrive in unidentified nations with harsh, exploitative, and isolating environments. 

Migration is a major life event that increases the chance of acquiring a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety and sadness, as noted by Bhugra (2004). Long before leaving, psychological pressures, including financial difficulties, dread of the unknown, and difficult farewells to family members, begin to accumulate; these continue until employment. 

Loneliness and Loss of Belonging 

One of the emotional states that migrant workers talked about the most was chronic loneliness. In addition, low pay and the resulting financial hardships led to workers abandoning their families in small apartments or in workplace-provided spaces that provided little to no privacy. Extreme social isolation brought on by restrictions on movement and options for communication with the outside community during working hours was a contributing factor in the loneliness experienced by domestic workers, particularly live-in maids. 

According to an odd research on internal migrants in India by Deshingkar and Akter (2009), many workers had physical symptoms like headaches or tightness in their chests, or sleeplessness, without recognising that these were also signs of psychological suffering. The workers were socially invisible, which can be extremely harmful to anyone, whether they are socially or professionally invisible. 

Read More: 40 Workers Trapped in Collapsed Tunnel of Uttarakhand

A Gendered Reality 

There are extra levels of emotional stress for women. Domestic workers – Among the behaviours that maids may face are verbal abuse, immodest actions, and sexual harassment, which occur in their employers’ homes. Many fear job loss or dismissal without wages, so they have no recourse. Women are also more likely to suppress mental health symptoms due to stigma or the idea that they have to “tough it out.” According to Mahapatro et al. (2017), the expectation placed on women by society to be emotionally capable caregivers may mask deep psychological scars. 

Mental Health Disorders Among Migrant Workers 

Research from several nations shows a direct link between mental health issues and stress associated with migration. Research from numerous nations shows a direct link between migration-related stress and mental health issues. Mental illness also appears in migrant workers who lack a diagnosis. Sadness shows in most people, especially those away from home for a long time; they feel tired, unhappy, or distant in their feelings. 

Worrying about a person’s health, job, or legal standing also creates constant nervousness. Some people, particularly those who went through major changes such as much abuse, bad weather events, or human trafficking, also show signs of post-traumatic stress. Additionally, when they lack access to healthy coping mechanisms or supportive networks, some people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to deal with their emotional pain (IOM, 2019). 

Few people are properly diagnosed or treated in spite of these hazards. The key causes are economic obstacles, lack of understanding, stigma, and absence of culturally relevant mental health services. 

Read More: High Rates of Burnout Linked to Work-related Stress Among Indian Workers: Report

COVID-19: Exposing the Fault Lines 

The COVID-19 epidemic made it impossible to ignore this population’s psychological weaknesses. Migrant labourers were left homeless, unemployed, and trapped overnight during India’s 2020 shutdown. The world was stunned to see pictures of labourers trudging hundreds of kilometres, frequently carrying children and possessions on their backs. The severe emotional damage they bore, however, was less obvious. According to research by Dandekar and Ghai (2020), several employees displayed signs of anxiety, despair, and societal distrust after the lockout. This was a breakdown of identity and dignity, not merely a financial disaster. 

Barriers to Psychological Well-being 

There is still an absence of mental health services for domestic and migrant workers for a variety of reasons: 

• Invisibility in Policy: The majority of laws regarding labour pay little attention to emotional safety and instead concentrate on salaries or working hours.
• Cultural Stigma: Mental health is still frowned upon in many areas that send migrants. It is viewed as a show of weakness to seek therapy. 
• Language and Literacy Gaps: It is uncommon to find counselling in mother tongues or dialects in metropolitan areas. 
• Limited Time and Privacy: Seeking treatment becomes extremely difficult when working 12–14 hours a day with minimal access to personal space. 

Read More: The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Mental Health

What Can Be Done? 

The mental health of such individuals can be upheld through various acts, even if systemic changes take time. We must also think beyond traditional models to expand mental health services for migrants. To bring aid closer to people in need, mobile mental health units can bring in multilingual counsellors to places such as labour camps or construction sites. WhatsApp therapy and helplines offer a more convenient way to get help for people reaching out for the first time. 

Employers also need to be trained to become good listeners, identify symptoms of trauma and understand mental health limitations in the workplace. And at least in the community, the ability to sit in a room and gather in circles where you tell your life stories has so much power and can break the stigma. And at a systemic level, mental health services have to be integrated into the labour welfare platform, such as domestic workers’ boards or the eShram portal, to create a long-term impact.

Conclusion 

Domestic workers and migrant workers are people with pain, memories, dreams, and anxieties in addition to being economic entities. Their capacity to operate, flourish, and make a significant contribution to society depends on their mental health, which is not a secondary concern. In addition to healing individuals, we also fortify the cornerstone of our labour economy by hearing their voices and enhancing the accessibility and dignity of mental health treatment. 

FAQs 

1. Why are migrant workers more vulnerable to mental health issues?

They face economic insecurity, social isolation, and poor living conditions, all of which heighten psychological stress. Being away from family and support systems worsens emotional well-being. 

2. What mental health problems are common among domestic labourers?

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorders are common. Many suffer silently due to stigma and a lack of access to care. 

3. How does gender affect the mental health of domestic workers?

Women often face sexual harassment, overwork, and emotional suppression. This leads to chronic stress and unreported trauma. 

4. Why don’t most workers seek help for mental health? 

Fear of job loss, lack of awareness, language barriers, and stigma stop them. Many also don’t know where or how to seek help. 

5. How did COVID-19 affect migrant mental health? 

The pandemic triggered mass displacement, job loss, and emotional trauma. It exposed how unprepared systems were to handle their psychological needs. 

6. What can improve their mental well-being? 

Mobile counseling, employer sensitization, and community support groups can help. Policy reforms must also include mental health access as a labor right.