Recognizing and caring for mental health in schools

More than 400 students from the Psychology department and other departments of Dong A University and a number of universities andeducational institutions in Da Nang City participated in the Program.

On October 10, in Da Nang City, Dong A University organized the program “Identifying and caring for mental health in schools”. This is an activity in response to the celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

The program was attended by representatives from hospitals, psychological counseling centers, schools in Da Nang city, and more than 400 students from the Psychology department and other departments of Dong A University and a number of universities and educational institutions in Da Nang city.

Speaking at the program, People's Physician, MD.CKII Lam Tu Trung - Vice President of the Vietnam Psychotherapy Association, Director of the Center for Counseling and Mental Health Care at Dong A University commented: "Young people today often face a lot of pressure from studying, family expectations, economic issues, health, the impact of social networks, school violence... which tend to increase and become more complicated. Just considering the factors related to school affecting the mental health and comprehensive development of adolescents announced by UNICEF in Vietnam in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, about 20% of adolescents have mental health problems. This is both the cause, the manifestation, and the consequence of the pressure that students are under."

Dr. Lam Tu Trung added that there are many reasons why many young people are reluctant to talk about mental health. It could be due to the young people's incorrect awareness of mental health, fear of facing discrimination from the community... Moreover, the general mentality of young people is that they are fine and can "heal" their own psychological injuries. Not to mention, there are some who do not accept that they have symptoms of mental disorders, or are shy and afraid of the views of those around them about examining and treating mental disorders.

At the program, the topic “Dating with happiness” is a close and easy-to-understand way for Dr. Nguyen Hoang Khac Hieu – a psychologist to convey the content about mental health care in schools. Through the anxiety assessment scale, the speaker also helps students present at the program directly identify the signs and levels of mental fatigue, thereby accessing diverse self-healing therapy groups.

Following the topic was an open dialogue between students and experts and guests on identifying and caring for mental health. Led by successful “cases” treated by psychiatrists, and by the “characters’” stories of their experiences after experiencing and overcoming them, the forum helped students “decode” mental health issues that young people are often reluctant to talk about, especially common peer pressure, and find positive “healing therapies” for themselves.

Signing cooperation agreements on mental health care programs with businesses and schools.

On this occasion, student Phan Thi Huong Tra - 2024 Valedictorian of Psychology at Dong A University was also honored and received the Seed Season scholarship from the Faculty of Education worth 10 million VND. Previously, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024-2025 school year, Huong Tra also received the full Cherry Blossom Talent Scholarship worth 100% of the full tuition fee for the entire course.

It is known that the series of mental health care programs for high school students of Dong A University in 2024 has also reached thousands of students in the Central Highlands provinces since the beginning of 2024.

Also at the Program, a cooperation program on mental health care in schools was signed between Dong A University and Gia Vien Kindergarten, Phan Chau Trinh High School, Hy Vong Primary, Secondary and High School. Accordingly, in the 2024-2025 school year, educational psychology experts from Dong A University will promote mental health screening, consultation and therapy activities for students, teachers... according to a specific roadmap; at the same time, periodically coordinate to organize psychology and life skills seminars for the above subjects.

On this occasion, the Young Lion Soft Skills Research and Training Institute of Dong A University also officially launched a program to screen and care for mental health among students and lecturers of Dong A University. The program will be held throughout October 2024 in addition to regular activities at the school's Psychological Counseling Room. Accordingly, additional consultation desks with doctors and psychologists directly participating will be placed in the lobby to support identification and coordination for early intervention after screening for students and lecturers./.

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/y-te/nhan-dien-va-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tinh-than-trong-truong-hoc-680297.html