Vietnam has made remarkable progress in various sectors in recent years, including healthcare. Despite this, mental healthcare remains a relatively neglected area in the country. In this article, we will discuss the current state of the mental healthcare industry in Vietnam and what needs to be done to improve it.
Overview
Mental illnesses are usually associated with shame and dishonor in society, which makes it difficult for people to talk openly about their suffering. In Vietnam, people think those seeking psychological assistance are treating their obscenity. It’s common to stay calm in social situations by keeping problems like worry or work stress private. Yet, psychological burdens affect people in distress in many different ways, including their family members.
Since it needs accommodating a niche market on the one hand and operating in a low-cost environment on the other, building a mental healthcare industry may not immediately appeal to foreign investors. Nonetheless, the demographic dividend of the nation is partly responsible for its economic expansion, and there is a rising need for all types of medical care, including mental health treatments.
Mental Health Situation in Vietnam
The three most well-known conditions on the official list of mental diseases in Vietnam were alcoholism, depression, and anxiety. However, more investigation is required to address these findings and figure out the reasons.
According to research by the UK-based Young Lives Project, pressures associated with poverty jeopardize children’s ability to develop normally. Vulnerable women and youth lack access to sufficient resources in both urban and rural locations. Those who live in rural areas without easy access to big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where services are more widely available, are particularly underserved in terms of care. Unfortunately, given the current shortage of mental health care workers, it is impossible to meet the demands of the population’s most vulnerable groups. This is especially true when funding is rare.
In 2015, there were 333 suicide attempts in the rural area of Dien Bien, northwest Vietnam, according to a joint study by UNICEF, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). Of these, 140 involved people who were 19 years old or younger, and 16 of the 73 attempts that were successful involved children. Alarmingly, the survey revealed that the province’s Vietnamese adolescents are more susceptible to suicidal thoughts.
Infrastructure for mental healthcare
Vietnam’s market for mental health care is still growing. The National Mental Health Plan (NMHP), which the government established, employs a relatively limited list of mental illnesses and only covers about 30% of the nation, according to industry experts (Vietnam Briefing, 2018). In Vietnam, only medical facilities at the provincial level or central facilities have mental health departments that provide care and treatment. Medication is typically the only form of treatment used, as counseling or psychotherapy have not yet been sufficiently developed. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has adopted a national plan to avoid non-infectious diseases and mental health disorders for the 2022–2025 period in an attempt to address mental health issues among the people (Vnexpress, 2022).
Foreign educational institutions and professional training programs are needed to increase Vietnam’s clinical competence and skills in order to develop the mental health care infrastructure. The current situation can be improved by developing independent training services or working with local institutions to improve the existing education.
There are two National Psychiatric Hospitals in Vietnam: one in the northern city of Hanoi and one in the southern city of Bien Hoa. All around the nation are the remaining 34 provincial psychiatric facilities.
The need for mental healthcare app
As we can see from above, Vietnam is experiencing a rising incidence of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), due to rapid urbanization, economic pressures, and social changes. A mental healthcare app can help people cope with these issues. Meanwhile, mental healthcare services in Vietnam are limited, and many people do not have access to mental health professionals.
In this situation, a mental healthcare app could help bridge the gap between the growing demand for mental healthcare services and the limited availability of mental healthcare professionals. A mental healthcare app could provide users with access to self-help resources, such as mental health assessments, mindfulness exercises, and relaxation techniques. It could also offer access to teletherapy and telepsychiatry services, connecting users with mental healthcare professionals remotely.
Moreover, a mental healthcare app could help address the stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare services in Vietnam. Many people in Vietnam still view mental health problems as a personal weakness and may be hesitant to seek help due to fear of being judged. A mental healthcare app could help normalize seeking mental healthcare services by providing a convenient, discreet, and confidential way to access mental healthcare resources.
Conclusion
Overall, the need for mental healthcare services in Vietnam is significant, and a mental healthcare app could be an effective tool for improving access to care and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health problems.
References
Mah, K. (2020). The mental healthcare industry in Vietnam. Vietnam Briefing News. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/mental-healthcare-industry-in-vietnam.html/
Le, N. (2022). 15 min Vietnamese afflicted with mental illnesses: Health Ministry — VnExpress International. VnExpress International — Latest news, business, travel, and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/15-mln-vietnamese-afflicted-with-mental-illnesses-health-ministry-4522048.html
