Dong A University Organizes the Program on Identifying and Caring for Mental Health in Schools

Celebrating World Mental Health Day on October 10, Dong A University organized the program "Identifying and Caring for Mental Health in Schools."

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

At the event, People’s Physician, Dr. Lam Tu Trung, a Level II Specialist Doctor, Vice President of the Vietnam Psychotherapy Association, and Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Care Center at Dong A University, stated:
"In general, today's youth face immense pressure from studying, family expectations, financial concerns, health issues, the influence of social media, and school violence…which tend to increase and become more complicated. According to a report by UNICEF Vietnam in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, about 20% of adolescents experience mental health issues related to school. These issues are causes, manifestations and consequences of the pressures students endure.
There are many reasons why many young people hesitate to talk about mental health. It may be due to the incorrect awareness of young people about mental health, fear of social stigma…Moreover, they believe that they are fine and can heal their psychological injuries themselves. Some even refuse to acknowledge their symptoms or fear being judged for seeking psychological treatment.”

On this occasion, a mental health care program partnership was signed between Dong A University and Gia Vien Kindergarten System, Phan Chau Trinh High School, and Hy Vong Primary, Secondary, and High School. Accordingly, in the 2024-2025 academic year, educational psychology experts from Dong A University will implement mental health screening, consultation and therapy activities for students and teachers, according to a specific roadmap, as well as coordinate to periodically organize psychology and life skills seminars for the above subjects. 
At the same time, the Young Lion Institute for Research and Soft Skills Training at Dong A University has officially launched a mental health screening and care program for students and faculty members. The program will be held throughout October 2024 in addition to regular activities at the university’s Counseling Room. Accordingly,  consultation desks with doctors and psychologists directly participating will be set up in the lobby to assist identification and coordination of early intervention after screening for students and lecturers. 
At the program, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Khac Hieu, a psychology expert, conducted a session titled "Dating with Happiness”  as a close and easy-to-understand way to convey the content of mental health care in schools. Through anxiety assessment scales, the speaker also helps students to self-identify signs and levels of mental fatigue, thereby accessing various self-recovery therapy methods.
Following the session, an open dialogue between students, experts and guests addressed common mental health identification and care. Real-life cases of successful psychiatric treatment, along with personal stories from individuals who overcame psychological struggles, provided students with valuable perspectives on peer pressure and effective self-healing strategies.
As part of the event, Phan Thi Huong Tra, the 2024 valedictorian of Dong A University's Psychology program, was honored and awarded the "Mùa Gieo Hạt" (Seed Sowing Season) Scholarship worth 10 million VND. Earlier, during the 2024-2025 academic year opening ceremony, she had also received the Hoa Anh Dao Talent Scholarship, covering 100% of her tuition fees for the entire program.
It is known that the series of mental health care programs for high school students of 2024, Dong A University has reached thousands of students across Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands since the beginning of 2024.