Vietnam in response to Global Mental Health

Along with activities in response to the call for Global Mental Health, Research and Training Centre for Community Development in collaboration with Vietnam Medical Association, The Evidence-Based Health Policy Development Advocacy Group (EBHPD) and Institute of Population, Health and Development (IPHAD) organized the seminar “Global Mental Health in Vietnam” in Hanoi on August 4th, 2014.

At the seminar, experts and stakeholders highlighted remain issues in Global Mental Health. They also shared the solutions to build a sustainable mental health care by focusing on community-based activities and integrating them into available government’s programs.

From the National Institute of Mental Health, NCNP, Japan, Dr. Yuriko Suzuki addressed the development of mental health research in Japan along with their experiences in Vietnam.

Additionally, the Global Challenges Canada also brought to the seminar two presents of “Feasibility Study in preparation for Randomized Trial of Enhanced Primary Mental Health Care Implementation in Vietnam” and “Women share good examples of mental health care in the family” about integrating the mental health care into the primary health care system. Of which, the community-based mental health care project for mentally ill patients showed remarkable outcomes in improving patients’ quality of life, reducing social stigma and involving the mass organizations in mental health care.

The seminar happened with the participation of delegates from the government’s agencies, research institutes, social organizations and stakeholders such as Vietnam Medical Association, Health Ministry and Ha Nam Department, universities and media representative. The delegates all agreed that mental health was not new in Vietnam. However, it has not been gained significant attention from both government and community. In order to eliminate prejudices and misunderstanding about mental health, they require closer cooperation between government agencies and civil society organizations in implementation of pilot projects and sustainable integration.