First launched in December 2005, the TuNa clinic demonstrates that mental disorders are pervasive public problems, as well as raising concerns about policy in the field of health care.
TuNa clinic: serving the community and providing policy-oriented research evidences
The Screening, Consulting and Preventing Mental Disorders in Women and Children (TuNa Clinic) was launched in December 2006, with support from the Vietnam Union of Sciences and Technology Associations and the approval of the Hanoi Department of Health. The establishment of the TuNa clinic by RTCCD was a significant step in demonstrating the move “from research evidence to policy” in the field of mental health care. We are proud to be the pioneer NGO (both national and international NGOs working in Vietnam) bringing epidemiological evidence on the burden of mental health disorders in mothers and children to policy makers and donors in Vietnam. With TuNa clinic, RTCCD now expands our playing field to cover both the community and clinical epidemiology and provides evidence for prevention and care of mental disorders in mothers and children.
TuNa clinic: at the current
The clinic has undergone a rapid development in terms of an increase in patient visits and of health staff and the expansion of service provision. By July 2009, TuNa started the operation of self-financing which encouraged the whole clinic to improve its performance and develop public relations strategies. Children under 18 accounted for approximately 60% of the total patients in 2009. Two thirds of patients visited after recommendations from previous TuNa patients. The clinic provided not only clinic-based patient services but outreach services such as home and school-based examination and counseling. Moreover the clinic provided student instruction for four Master students and training for health practitioners on mental health care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The clinic staff were also involved in the translation of Vickram Patel’s book “Where There is No Psychiatrist”. This has helped ensure that community-based health workers are able to access this invaluable resource and thus bring mental health services to people in need. The TuNa clinic was also involved in increasing public education in the field of mental health. The clinic had around two articles published in newspapers per month and a broadcast on VTV1 focusing on mental disorders in women and children. As well as this, throughout the year the clinic frequently received requests to provide further articles for publication.
TuNa clinic’s symbol
The symbol of the TuNa clinic is the image of a mother holding her child in her comforting arms. Above is the sky, beneath them is the sea which symbolizes the storms and challenges in life. The circle reminds us of completeness, while the yellow color in the outer rim stands for the comforting moonlight. The brick red words “TuNa Clinic” is positioned beneath the mother, emphasizing that clinic is where can find a suitable way that would ensure her child’s balanced development. The mother and baby tuna fish always swim side by side. These four letters can also be extended to make the word “tunable”, reminding us of the warming love a woman gives to her child.
The underlining message behind this symbol is TuNa clinic will always support you and your child in the journey to adulthood; to ensure that your child willreceive the warmth, mother-like loving care from the society that willcontribute towards a balanced and complete development.
The logo has been registered in the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam
Come to the clinic…
- Mental disorders can be diagnosed using tests which have been validated and standardized in Vietnam.
- You have the opportunity to discuss with the highly experienced staff about the state of disease, cause and prevention method as applied to your unique situation.
- Even when you are healthy, participation in our courses organized equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent mental disorders for yourself, your children and your family members.
Since 9/2014, TuNa Clinic integrated into Green Pine Clinic – the first clinic in Vietnam assesses the child’s comprehensive development according to the assessment of developed countries according to WHO recommendations.