UNICEF addresses common mental health problems in Vietnam
8-29% of children and youth in Vietnam have mental health problems, according to a joint study by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and UNICEF.
Minister Dao Hong Lan told the meeting that about 10% of the population had psychological problems, 200,000 of which are serious cases. More people are falling into depression or feeling like being abandoned due to the impact of socio-economic changes. She said if such cases were detected quickly, they could prevent suicide, especially among children and youth.
UNICEF carried out qualitative research with people age from 11 to 24 in Hanoi, Dien Bien, Ha Giang Province and HCM City. They also used existing research to study the mental health and well-being of Vietnamese youth.
Fiona Samuels, head of the research group, said 8-29% of children and youth in Vietnam have mental health problems. The suicide rate is 2.3%, lower than the world average 9% but is on the rise. 102 people did try to find a way to kill themselves out of 409 people who had thought of committing suicide. Females are also more likely to self-injure.
The main causes of suicide are mostly failed relationships, marriage disputes and school and family problems. Most asked people said they were reluctant to share their feelings with others.
According to the research, mental health problems are spreading and worsening among children and young people. They are suffering from feelings of isolation caused by internet overuse, high family expectations, or failures in bad relationships.
Attending the meeting, 19-year-old Trinh Quoc Trung from Hanoi said technology seemed to prevent people from getting close to each other. Trung hoped schools will have counsellors to help pupils.
"Parents focus only on their work and give their children a mobile phone or iPad to play with," he said.
However, several experts thought that the research had cast a too wide net. Use of the internet and the negative impacts of socio-economic development is unavoidable. The problem is how to deal with them.
Head of the research group Fiona Samuels
Minister Dao Hong Lan told the meeting that about 10% of the population had psychological problems, 200,000 of which are serious cases. More people are falling into depression or feeling like being abandoned due to the impact of socio-economic changes. She said if such cases were detected quickly, they could prevent suicide, especially among children and youth.
UNICEF carried out qualitative research with people age from 11 to 24 in Hanoi, Dien Bien, Ha Giang Province and HCM City. They also used existing research to study the mental health and well-being of Vietnamese youth.
Fiona Samuels, head of the research group, said 8-29% of children and youth in Vietnam have mental health problems. The suicide rate is 2.3%, lower than the world average 9% but is on the rise. 102 people did try to find a way to kill themselves out of 409 people who had thought of committing suicide. Females are also more likely to self-injure.
The main causes of suicide are mostly failed relationships, marriage disputes and school and family problems. Most asked people said they were reluctant to share their feelings with others.
According to the research, mental health problems are spreading and worsening among children and young people. They are suffering from feelings of isolation caused by internet overuse, high family expectations, or failures in bad relationships.
Attending the meeting, 19-year-old Trinh Quoc Trung from Hanoi said technology seemed to prevent people from getting close to each other. Trung hoped schools will have counsellors to help pupils.
"Parents focus only on their work and give their children a mobile phone or iPad to play with," he said.
However, several experts thought that the research had cast a too wide net. Use of the internet and the negative impacts of socio-economic development is unavoidable. The problem is how to deal with them.
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