Looking after your expat employees’ mental health

Anchored in his new job, with a built-in support system, Jared adjusted quickly. Jenny spent the first few weeks after the move getting Sonia settled at home and school, getting to know her way around, and starting to learn Dutch. Jenny didn’t know anyone in The Hague. During her first weeks there, she felt homesick and isolated. Her only contact with others was talking to her family and close friends back in New York City. She was spending too much time on video calls and not enough time getting out of the apartment and talking to people locally.  

Then, there were days when she didn’t have the energy to get out of bed. She thought it was because of the darkness outside and getting used to the Dutch winter – not the initial symptoms of depression. It took her several months of suffering before she sought professional help. Her depression lasted for almost a year. 

Jenny is one of many expats who struggle with mental health issues. A recent survey by health care…