Strengthening mental health care in emergency situations

Lang Son is a mountainous province that regularly faces natural emergencies such as floods, landslides, severe cold, and infectious diseases. These situations not only cause material damage but also seriously affect the mental health of the people, especially children, the elderly, women and ethnic minorities.

Mental health examination and consultation at Lang Son Provincial General Hospital

In Vietnam, every year hundreds of thousands of people are affected by emergencies such as natural disasters, conflicts, epidemics, serious accidents, etc., which disrupt families, livelihoods and essential services. These emergencies can exacerbate mental health and social problems such as poverty and discrimination. They can also contribute to new problems such as family separation and social ills.

Most people affected by an emergency experience psychological stress, with feelings of anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, sleep problems, fatigue, irritability, etc. This psychological stress usually improves over time, with only a small number later developing mental health conditions. Of these: about 22% may suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia; About 13% suffer from mild forms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder; About 9% suffer from moderate or severe mental disorders.

When an emergency occurs such as a flood, landslide, epidemic or serious accident, we often pay attention to food relief, clean water, medicine. But there is one very important thing that is often forgotten: mental health issues. After a natural disaster or major event, many people feel panic, anxiety, insomnia, sadness or emotional paralysis. Children may be scared, cry at night, study poorly or cling to loved ones. Elderly people or women may suffer from depression, sleep disorders or feel abandoned... These feelings are completely normal in unusual circumstances, but if not listened to, shared or supported in time, they can seriously affect health and life later.

In fact, in emergency situations, the need for psychological and social support in Lang Son province is often not given due attention because medical facilities, especially at the district and commune levels, have limited professional resources in the field of mental health, a shortage of psychological staff and appropriate facilities, making it difficult to support people in difficult circumstances. Social prejudices about mental health make people hesitate to seek support.

Access to mental health care services in disasters and emergencies, ensuring mental health for people is not only a medical issue, but also an indispensable part of sustainable socio -economic development, especially in the context of climate change and increasing disaster risks.

Responding to World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2025 with the theme "Access to mental health care services in disasters and emergencies", to increase people's access to mental health care services, it is necessary for the health sector, local authorities and the community to join in propaganda actions, raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental disorders. Regularly organize community activities, talk shows, especially at schools and community centers.

In addition, focus on improving the capacity of the grassroots health system, training specialized health workers. Establishing rapid medical response teams and setting up psychological counseling hotlines in emergency situations. Strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, connecting resources and mobilizing the community to participate in early detection and support for people affected by psychological problems in disasters and emergencies, with the goal of leaving no one behind.

Hoang Thi Yen - KSBT Center

Source: https://soyt.langson.gov.vn/thong-tin-chuyen-nganh/kham-chua-benh/tang-cuong-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tam-than-trong-tinh-huong-khan-cap.html