HONG KONG (SE): Mental health problems may not always be visible, but they can affect a person’s psychological and social well being in everyday life. Such issues are especially difficult for migrant domestic workers as they often need to handle them alone in their employer’s home, which has been all the more challenging during the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, the Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW), based in St. John’s Cathedral, Garden Road, has organised a series of mental health awareness and stress reduction programmes in English and Cantonese under the title, Understanding Mental Health, Care for Yourself, Care for Others. The HSBC Community Partnership Programme is supporting the talks.
At the start of the online talk on 26 November 2022, Florence Liu, Resource and Counselling Limited counsellor, expressed gratitude for the contributions of migrant workers to society as they played an important role in families. However, she reminded them that it is essential to take care of their emotional health so that they can lead a happy life overseas, working away from home.
“Mental health affects how we think, feel and act. It is something that we cannot see, but it affects people’s life, ability and choice, and must be managed,” she said. “It is important not only for migrants but everyone, including children and adults.”
Liu shared that the most common mental illnesses are mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder. The speaker reminded attendees to be on the lookout for problems like a lack of energy, negative thinking, mood swings, and anxiety disorders. For example, if they worried about their hand hygiene too much during the pandemic.
She encouraged people to manage their emotions by being aware of their feelings and identifying what triggers them by fact-checking. In order to avoid escalating their negative emotions, they need to maintain positive emotions, like happiness, contentment, and love.
The domestic helpers were encouraged to care for their emotional health through physical exercise and rest. “Think of something that will make you feel better, such as music, songs or your hobby,” she said.
She recommended migrants do some self-soothing exercises if they are under any pressure while alone at their employer’s home, such as by reminding themselves that they are doing their job well and that they have tried their best.
“Your employer may not say it aloud, but you know [they] need you a lot; that means you are important,” she said.
Participants were also invited to do a 10-minute deep breathing and meditation mindfulness exercise. She warned people against unhelpful thoughts caused by rigid thinking, over-generalisation or catastrophic thinking.
“For example, some workers think they will be fired if their employer makes complaints and thus lose sleep over it,” she observed, suggesting that instead, they should learn to appreciate themselves and be optimistic.
She encouraged them to listen carefully and observe non-verbal clues to help them communicate with employers.
On the other hand, she also encouraged employers to have empathetic communication and try to show more understanding and appreciation.
Acknowledging that it can be hard in Chinese culture, she said, “Please remember that your worker needs rest, respect, religious freedom, community support and being treated as one in a family.”
Liu reminded migrants that if they meet friends or someone with emotional problems or who might be suicidal, they must encourage them to seek help from professional services that support migrants.
The next session will be in Cantonese on January 30.
To view the talk in Cantonese, please scan the QR code:
