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At a glance
- Stress impacts your helper’s mental health, which can lead to serious consequences.
- You play a key role in managing and supporting your helper’s mental well-being.
- Recognise the tell-tale signs of distress in your MDW so you can take action in time.
Your migrant domestic worker (MDW) plays a vital role in your household, but factors like adjusting to life in Singapore and the demands of her job can sometimes take a toll on her mental well-being. This guide will help you understand how stress can affect your MDW, how to spot the tell-tale signs, and most importantly, what you can do to offer her support and help.
What stress is and where it comes from
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension that can be caused by a difficult situation. It’s normal for your MDW to experience it sometimes, but too much of it can affect her physical and mental health. For instance, it could make your MDW look listless while working or cause her appetite to suddenly change. Some possible causes of stress include:
- Personal issues like relationship problems with family members.
- Difficulties adjusting to a new environment like the need to adapt to a different culture, pace of life and language.
- Challenges at work since she might need more time to become familiar with her duties. Constant caregiving for others could also take a toll on her, especially if she is new to this area of work.
- Loneliness and lack of support since she is away from her friends and family.
- Financial pressures such as a sudden request to send additional money back home.
Signs of distress
- Withdrawal – she loses interest in activities that she used to enjoy, speaks less, shows poor eye contact and looks listless.
- Irritability or mood swings – she gets frustrated or upset easily.
- Fatigue and poor sleep quality – she might be sleeping more than usual, is not sleeping well or looks tired all the time.
- Decreased performance – she gets forgetful and might not complete her tasks properly.
- Change in appetite – she is eating noticeably more or less than usual.
- Unhealthy thoughts – she talks about dying and appears to be in a constant state of fear.
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Recognising these signs is the first step in providing her with much-needed support and help.
Supporting your MDW's mental well-being
Here are some key steps you can take to support your MDW's mental health:
Encourage open communication
Create a safe space to talk about concerns or challenges. Choose a suitable time for the conversation and break the ice with a simple topic.
Show appreciation
Acknowledge her hard work and express your gratitude. If she is facing difficulties, let her know that you are there for her and that her well-being is important to you.
Show empathy and understanding
Be kind and supportive; and try to see things from her perspective.
Allow time for rest and self-care
Encourage her to take breaks in private. Suggest that she perform simple stretching for around 10 minutes every day.
Also, help her manage her mental well-being by sharing this self-care journal with her:
Respect her need for connection
Allow her time to call her loved ones regularly and encourage her to form support networks outside of the household.
Encourage positive pursuits
Suggest activities that can help her relax and de-stress, such as reading, writing, or crafts.
Encourage her to seek help - If she is struggling, refer to these numbers:
Speak to an MOM officer for help
| Contact |
Phone |
| MDW Helpline |
1800 339 5505
Airtime charges apply for mobile calls to 1800 service lines.
+65 6339 5505 (for overseas callers)
|
Counselling by non-government organisations
| Contact |
Phone |
|
Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE)
- Foreign-language speakers may be available at times
|
1800 225 5233
Available 24 hours
Airtime charges apply for mobile calls to 1800 service lines. |
|
Brahm Centre
|
8427 5196 (Burmese)
9894 9505 (Tamil/Hindi)
|
Mediation by non-government organisations
| Contact |
Phone |
| Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) (AEAS) |
6836 2618 |
Services by mental health organisations
| Contact |
Phone |
| Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) |
1800 238 7019
Airtime charges apply for mobile calls to 1800 service lines. |
| Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) |
1767
Available 24 hours |
|
Singapore Counselling Centre
|
6339 5411 |
| Silver Ribbon |
6386 1928 |
Please note that these helplines only offer counselling. In life-threatening situations, call the police emergency hotline at 999 immediately.
To learn more, read our guide to enhancing your MDW’s mental well-being.
Case Study
Here’s a real-life example of how an employer took action in time and stopped things from worsening:
- An employer noticed that a long-time MDW’s behaviour suddenly changed.
- She started talking to herself.
- The employer learnt that she was bullied online.
- The employer tried to give the MDW a month’s break, but the latter declined.
- The employer didn’t just give up. The employer called MOM to seek advice.
- The MOM helpline advised the employer to contact the Institute of Mental Health helpline to seek professional assistance, and helped connect the MDW to NGO FAST for counselling.
A well-rested helper is a more effective employee. Have open conversations to discuss any changes in schedules or expectations during the holiday period, and ensure your helper has adequate rest.
Since 1 January 2023, every MDW is entitled to one rest day per week, and one of these each month can't be compensated away. Employers who fail to provide the mandatory rest day may be subjected to enforcement action by the Ministry of Manpower.
Conclusion
Being watchful and taking an active role in supporting your MDW's mental well-being is not only beneficial for her but also gives your home a positive mood and helps your helper stay productive. By following these tips, you can help your MDW stay well during her time in Singapore.