New programmes to help migrant workers care for their mental well-being
David Sun for The Straits Times
Working in a foreign land far away from home and family can be lonely for many migrant workers, taking a toll on their mental health.
But there is an entire ecosystem that includes employers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that is committed to supporting the mental health of migrant workers, said Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash.
He was speaking on Oct 5 at a World Mental Health Day event for migrant workers held at Terusan Recreation Centre, where some 1,000 migrant workers took part in activities that included games and a roadshow.
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on Oct 10.
During the event, Mr Dinesh announced two new initiatives to strengthen mental health support for migrant workers.
The first is the 20 preventive health roadshows by HealthServe that will be held over the next two years at dormitories and recreation centres to reach some 20,000 migrant workers.
The roadshows will cover a range of health-related topics to enhance migrant workers' overall well-being, such as mental health support, self-care techniques, oral hygiene, nutrition, health screening services and interactive games.
The second is the expansion of the peer support leader programme to teach selected migrant workers psychological first-aid skills so that they can provide early mental health support to their peers.
Mr Dinesh said that so far, close to 2,000 migrant workers have been trained under the programme.
"To our migrant brothers, we recognise that it's not easy because you are far away from your home and your families, and sometimes it can be very difficult," he said.
"And so during your time in Singapore, and together with all the NGOs, dormitory operators, your employers, we are committed to support you for both your mental and your physical health."
He also spoke about the Project Dawn task force that was formed in 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions to create a mental health support ecosystem for migrant workers.
The task force comprises representatives from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Migrant Workers' Centre, an NGO, and charity HealthServe, as well as government psychologists.
Mr Dinesh said that under the initiative, HealthServe set up a 24-hour crisis helpline with MOM's support.
The helpline is staffed by specialists and trained volunteers who speak migrant workers' native languages, ensuring that the workers can effectively communicate their problems.
An MOM-commissioned study by NUS and IMH highlighted barriers that deter migrant workers from seeking help, including the fear of losing their jobs and language problems, said Mr Dinesh.
He said that based on the study, Project Dawn has been refreshed to empower migrant workers to take charge of their own mental health.
He said: "We want our workers to be aware and to take ownership of their mental health and well-being through various programmes and activities with our partners that they provide... throughout the year."
These include the two new initiatives and the crisis helpline.
He added that it is also important for employers to support the well-being of workers.
"Several studies have shown that happy workers are also more productive workers," he said.
"So I'd like to encourage employers to do their part to create supportive workplace cultures, to encourage our workers to speak up if they have any issues, and for them to seek help if they need to."
Mr Thangam Karthick, 34, a peer support leader, said he hopes more can be done to build awareness of the help available for migrant workers.
The Indian national, who has been working here for a decade, had asked to be trained as a peer support leader after one such volunteer helped him to overcome the death of his father in December 2023.
He said that back then, he did not know who to turn to.
"When my father died, I did not know what to do, where to go, who to ask for help," he said. "My mind was a blank and I felt like I couldn't do anything."
But a peer support leader reached out and guided him through the dark period, inspiring Mr Thangam to want to do the same for others.
He said: "I want to help others because someone else helped me. I hope that more will know there is always help available, and we will do our best to listen and support each other."
