Swedish Home Care Workers and Vietnamese Factory Employees Face Mental Health Struggles Amid High Work Demands

In Sweden’s Malå, home care workers are drawing attention to the mental health challenges caused by unmanageable workloads and pressure from demanding schedules. During a meeting with Norran, a group of 12-13 home care workers expressed frustration over their working conditions, despite feeling pride in their profession. Daria Mårtensson, a worker, emphasized that their call is not for impossible salary increases but for reasonable schedules and manageable workloads, which she described as basic necessities.

Similarly, in Vietnam, labor-intensive jobs pose severe mental health risks. Nguyen Thi Mai, a textile worker in Ho Chi Minh City, shared her daily stress and anxiety stemming from low wages and rising living costs, leaving her little time or money for rest. Other workers, such as shoe factory employee Ha Thi Lan, reported symptoms like headaches and insomnia worsened by work and household responsibilities.

Vietnamese labor unions in the Tan Tao district have initiated activities—including health check-ups, cultural events, and vocational training—to support workers’ well-being. Nguyen Thanh Tuan noted these efforts aim to improve both physical and mental health. Nonetheless, mental health remains stigmatized in Vietnam, particularly among women, often preventing those affected from seeking help. Dr. Trinh Hong Hanh highlighted the importance of early detection of mental distress signs and family support for improving outcomes.

These insights from Swedish and Vietnamese workers underscore the toll high-pressure, labor-intensive jobs take on mental health, advocating for better workload management and supportive interventions.