Mental Health and Help-Seeking Behaviours of Migrant Domestic Workers in Türkiye from the Perspective of Stakeholders

Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Türkiye work in highly demanding conditions, often without legal protection and face significant physical and mental health challenges. This study explores MDWs’ mental health challenges and help-seeking behaviours from the perspectives of stakeholders. Six stakeholders were interviewed between May and June 2023. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic and interpretative phenomenological analyses. Findings revealed that MDWs face mental health stressors related to exploitative working conditions, cultural and language barriers, and family separation. However, access to mental health services is limited due to systemic barriers, including a lack of legal work permits, limited services, and unsupportive employer and agency attitudes. MDWs’ help-seeking behaviours are limited, so they often cope with these challenges through individual resilience and community solidarity, albeit with the use of maladaptive coping strategies. It is recommended that comprehensive labour law protections and institutionalized support services are needed to promote the MDWs’ mental well-being.