(People's Representative) University of Social Sciences and Humanities develops solutions to mental health problems.

The seminar was attended by the Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi, the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, and many experts in the fields of psychology, social work, sociology, etc.
Four pillars of treatment for people with mental health problems.
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi highly appreciated the efforts and attention of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Social Sciences in the field of mental health care. He affirmed that this also coincides with the concerns of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi speaks at the seminar.

The Deputy Minister shared that mental health is a difficult, broad, and multidisciplinary field. Currently, on average, about 50% of the world's population experiences various mental health problems (from stress, anxiety, depression, autism, schizophrenia, paranoia, etc.). If not detected and treated promptly, it will cause many consequences in terms of both health and economic and social aspects.
According to the Deputy Minister, this issue is also of great concern to the Party and the State. Resolution 20 of the Central Committee on strengthening the protection, care, and improvement of people's health in the new situation includes significant components related to mental health care. Resolution 15 of the Central Committee on social security also outlines policy solutions (in conjunction with healthcare) to enhance treatment for people with mental health problems.
The four pillars of treatment for people with mental health problems include: preventive treatment, medical treatment, emergency intervention, and rehabilitation support. “All four pillars are extremely important and require the active participation and significant role of social work and psychology. The social aspect, combined with the medical aspect, is essential for effective treatment and resolving mental health issues for the people,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Hoi emphasized.
Establishing a specialized training program in mental health care in Vietnam.
The Deputy Minister suggested that, in the area of ​​community mental health care, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities should focus on several key areas that are unique to a university.
Firstly, develop a standardized screening system with a name, theoretical framework, and specific criteria, based on research into screening systems worldwide and appropriately applied to Vietnamese conditions.
Secondly, choose one of the following models: school, community, worker, etc., to apply and implement, then learn from experience and seek advice and feedback from experts both domestically and internationally to continue research.
Third, conduct pilot tests. A model could be applied to students at universities in various fields. Currently, many students also experience mental health problems but are sometimes unaware of it.
Fourth, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Hoi suggested the establishment of a specialized training program in mental health care in Vietnam. Currently, some countries already have such training programs. To implement this, it is necessary to build a theoretical and practical foundation and have a clear roadmap. Research and learning from the experiences of advanced countries around the world should be conducted to incorporate some specialized subjects into schools and training programs.
Fifth, restructure the training programs, with a focus on practical application in the social sciences.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the aforementioned issues should be addressed quickly, with dedication, in-depth investment, and pursued steadfastly and enthusiastically. “In addition, we need to mobilize and bring together international organizations, from the World Health Organization and other relevant international organizations, to work together. I believe only then can we implement the strategy outlined,” the Deputy Minister said.
Interdisciplinary research aimed at application and service to the community.
According to Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Covid-19 pandemic has left many consequences for human health, not only physical health but also mental health.
Over the past period, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has assigned the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Social Sciences – a hub of experts in psychology, social work, sociology, and many other interdisciplinary fields – the task of developing a project on community mental health care activities.

Professor Hoang Anh Tuan (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) speaking at the seminar.

Professor Tuan emphasized that these activities of the school are not limited to purely professional activities such as teaching and academic research, but all those results need to be implemented, applied, and serve the community.
The pandemic has caused many difficulties for people in general, especially students. This is why, after the pandemic, the school has prioritized students as one of the key groups, particularly children in rural and mountainous areas where socio-economic conditions, awareness, and infrastructure are more challenging.
In 2022, the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Sciences, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, organized many practical mental health care activities such as: training on preventing mental health problems for students, teachers, and parents in 4 disadvantaged localities; assessing and providing psychological support for orphaned students during the Covid-19 pandemic;…
"We have conducted trials in the first year, implementing the program in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh, Da Nang, etc., and the social impact has been very positive. The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs is very interested in this because it is one of the key programs they are pursuing. Today's seminar is an opportunity for us to look back, evaluate, learn from experience, and most importantly, open up new directions," shared Professor Hoang Anh Tuan.
The Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities further informed that, in response to Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Hoi's remarks, the university aims to develop a set of standards, filters, and rules for the project in the future. These standards will be based on international standards but adapted to the Vietnamese context, suitable for Vietnamese people and their health. In addition, the university will implement practical applications in local community activities.
As an institution that not only trains human resources for immediate use but also trains personnel who can act as intermediaries in other training areas (for example, training high-quality personnel for centers related to psychology, public health, etc.), the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will develop theoretical frameworks, training programs, and courses to enhance the expertise and skills of learners, especially the team of experts and lecturers.
4 outstanding community mental health activities in 2022
At the seminar, in her report summarizing the community's mental health care activities in 2022, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Hang, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Social Sciences, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, highlighted four outstanding activities.
 

Accordingly, the Center organized training on preventing mental health problems for students in mountainous and rural areas, teachers, and parents in four localities: Vu Quang district, Ha Tinh province; Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province; Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province; and Chu Se district, Gia Lai province. A total of 2,281 students and 232 teachers and parents participated in the training and benefited from the program.
Secondly, the program organized psychological assessment and support activities for orphaned students during the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 101 students were examined and assessed, and the results showed that 56.44% of those assessed were experiencing psychological trauma and other health problems (anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, behavioral disorders). 20.79% of the students were at risk of mental health problems, while 22.77% were mentally healthy.
The center also provides regular individual counseling and therapy services. In 2022, the individual counseling and therapy services offered by the Center for Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Research stabilized with over 500 users.
In addition, there is the provision of psychological examination, assessment, and support for workers. According to Associate Professor Hang, this activity has just begun to be implemented, with one psychological examination already conducted for workers at a banking unit. This type of community service holds great potential in the near future, as awareness and needs of the community in general, and of employers and employees in particular, regarding mental health are increasing.

Nguyen Lien (People's Representatives Newspaper)
Link to the article:People's Representatives Newspaper

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