According to the latest statistics from mental health experts, up to 20% of children and adolescents have mental health problems: depression, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, stress, etc. Adolescence is a period of psychological and physiological changes. If children are not listened to and cared for properly, it can lead to serious consequences, especially the appearance of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Especially in the context of the social network explosion, many young people lack soft skills, have difficulty integrating into the community, and are not flexible in dealing with stressful situations in life. Along with that is the shortage of human resources in the system of psychological experts in general and pediatric psychology in particular, thereby affecting the work of mental health care for children and adolescents.
On December 8, the Government approved the Program for Child Mental Health Care and Orphan Care for the period 2023 - 2030. Accordingly, the goal is for children to receive mental health care, children with mental health problems, and orphans to access appropriate support services to realize children's rights and provide comprehensive care and development for children.
Eight tasks and solutions for child mental health care and orphan care. Photos are for illustration purposes only, internet photos.
Specifically, strive for 80% of children with mental health problems and children at high risk of mental health disorders to have access to counseling services, psychological support, and appropriate social services at schools, medical examination and treatment facilities, social assistance facilities, child protection service providers, and in the community. Strive for 100% of orphans to be cared for by relatives, individuals, and families who are not relatives, to be adopted or temporarily cared for, at social assistance facilities, and to have access to appropriate care and support services.
The Government also assigned the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Program nationwide, reviewing, amending and supplementing according to its authority or recommending competent authorities to amend and supplement the legal system and policies on child mental health care and orphan care, and communicating about child mental health care and orphan care. Guiding the implementation of child mental health care services and alternative care for orphans and homeless children according to assigned functions and tasks.
Develop counseling and consultation services for children with mental health problems and children at risk of mental disorders at social assistance facilities, child protection service providers and in the community; develop a service network and connect referrals for mental health care services for children; implement a counseling and guidance program for parents, caregivers and children on mental health care.
Bich Huong
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