Paper Title
Stress, Depression, Mental Health & Wellbeing Among Nepali Migrants Worldwide
Abstract
Estimated 8 million people of Nepali origin reside in countries outside of their own as migrants. Of them estimated 40% are working as migrants in the Middle East and Malaysia, around 20% in India, around 15% in Korea and Japan and the rest in different regions of the world such as Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world. The main reason for Nepali to leave their country and work as migrant worker in another country is the pursuit of income in the hope of better life for them and their loved ones. Income accumulation also help them escape from debts and poverty. They work tirelessly in foreign countries with little or no regard for their health. This has adverse consequences on their mental health, wellness and overall health. They work under extreme stress, pressure that causes them to deteriorate their mental health. Stress, Depression, suicide ideation and eventual suicide has become common Nepali migrants. At least 500 migrants have committed suicide in the past three years: 100 in the middle east, 250 in Malaysia and the rest Korea, Japan and other parts of the world. Governments of both the origin and the host country need to work in tandem to ensure migrant's mental and physical health are well covered and protected. Migrants need to be educated to give priority to their health. United Nations agencies, bi-lateral and multilateral organizations that have stakes on migrants need to be reminded and followed to maintain migrant's health and wellness.
Keywords - Health & Wellbeing; Migrants; Mental Health; Nepali; Nepal