Homesickness is a common and natural experience among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Being far away from family, working in a foreign land, and adjusting to a different culture — all while trying to earn a better living — can take a toll on a person’s mental health.
In fact, according to WebMD, around 50% of workers, students, migrants, and military personnel report experiencing homesickness. For OFWs, this emotional struggle can sometimes lead to depression, anxiety, or burnout if left unaddressed.
Think about your OFW family member — or maybe a neighbor or friend working abroad. While their social media may show smiles and travel photos, many are silently battling emotional pain, isolation, and the weight of being away from home. Many OFWs are having difficulties coping with their mental health.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the struggles OFWs face due to homesickness — and how they (and their families) can support their mental health and well-being.
OFWs and Homesickness
Homesickness is a deep emotional struggle that many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) experience while living abroad. It’s more than just missing home — it often shows up as loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and a sense of disconnection from the host country. Many OFWs feel isolated, out of place, or even discriminated against as they try to adjust to different cultures, languages, and lifestyles.
Despite this, OFWs are incredibly resilient. They carry the burden of working far away to provide for their families — not just for needs, but often for wants too. They remain generous, grounded, and hardworking, even when no one sees the battles they face silently.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “There’s no place like home.” This rings especially true for long-term deployed OFWs. While achieving their dream of working abroad may feel exciting at first, many eventually feel the emotional cost of being away from physical support systems — family, friends, and their own culture.
Even non-Filipino workers living overseas have spoken about how they sometimes feel like they don’t belong in their host country. For OFWs, no matter how well they adapt, it’s hard to replace the feeling of home — where they are loved, accepted, and truly understood.
So How to We Solve It?
Does homesickness go away just by recognizing it? Of course not.
Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) choose to keep pushing through — working, adjusting, and focusing on providing for their families. But behind the hard work, unspoken emotional exhaustion builds up. And over time, it can quietly take a toll on their mental health.
Some OFWs may try to care for their emotional well-being after realizing they’re struggling. But here’s the reality: mental health care abroad is expensive — and often inaccessible for many.
In the UK, for example, a one-hour consultation with a mental health professional can cost around £360 — that’s nearly ₱25,000. For many OFWs, that’s almost two weeks’ salary. In other countries, sessions can cost $100 or more per hour, making therapy feel like a luxury they can’t afford.
Let’s face it — for many OFWs, accessing long-term mental health support overseas feels out of reach.
Mental Health Tips for Homesick OFWs
Even if therapy feels out of reach, OFWs can still practice self-care and protect their mental health in small but meaningful ways. Here are a few helpful tips to ease homesickness:
1. Travel and Explore
If you’re in a country like the US or UK, make use of the opportunity to travel between states or countries. A change in scenery — even for a short weekend — can lift your mood. While traveling, you might even meet fellow kababayan who remind you of home. Sometimes, a warm hug, a shared meal, or a familiar accent can make a huge difference.
2. Connect with Other Filipinos
If you’re the only Filipino in your town, try visiting the next town or nearby community. Even meeting one or two kababayans can ease the feeling of isolation. Filipinos abroad often become each other’s family — we share food, laughter, and even “pasalubong”. Use social media to stay connected and organize regular catch-ups.
3. Enjoy Filipino Food and Products
When homesickness strikes, visit the nearest Filipino store or restaurant. Treat yourself to your favorite local snacks, canned goods, or meals like adobo or sinigang. Having even small pieces of home with you — like a bottle of suka, a bag of chichirya, or a tub of ube ice cream — can bring comfort and joy.
4. Try E-Therapy (Online Counseling)
So, how do we really care for OFW mental health?
According to DOLE Order No. 208-20, OFWs have the right to access mental health services — even when living abroad. Online counseling or e-therapy from licensed Filipino psychologists is more affordable than most therapy sessions overseas, and it’s tailored to your language, culture, and context.
Best of all, e-therapy or online counseling isn’t just for those with a diagnosis. It’s for anyone who wants to feel better, manage emotions, and become a stronger version of themselves.
How to Book an Appointment with M Psych
When you’re ready to try online counseling, we want to welcome you with open arms. At M Psych, Your Mental Health Partner, we offer accessible and affordable online sessions with licensed Filipino psychologists — wherever you are in the world.
Booking a session takes less than 5 minutes, and it’s fully online. Here’s how:
- On the website, click the “Book Now” – you will be redirected to a page where you can see a list of psychologists.
- Select your psychologist – hover around the list and choose one psychologist that you feel could help you be better. Select a schedule for you to meet the psychologist.
- Fill out your information – you have to type down your name and other personal details so that we would be able to know a bit about you.
- Pay the upfront fee – a reasonable price is ready for you. You can pay via Gcash, Paypal, and other partner payment platforms.
To learn more about booking online counseling, check here.
💌 Have thoughts or questions about this topic or do you need assistance? Message us on Facebook or Email us at: info@mpsychservices.com
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