In the aftermath of COVID-19, a story close to my heart became the catalyst for change. My childhood best friend, despite his brilliant mind and warm smile, suffered from depression – not because of a lack of treatment options, but because he simply needed someone to listen to his stories. This experience opened my eyes to a broader crisis in our community, where the simple act of being heard had become a luxury rather than a basic human need.
Project Name: The Salud Mental Station
What started as a response to help students at my school soon revealed a shocking reality from Vietnam's Health Ministry: 90% of Vietnamese individuals with mental disorders receive no treatment. The statistics are staggering – approximately 15 million Vietnamese people suffer from mental disorders, with depression and anxiety affecting around 5-6% of the population. Most concerning is that over 3 million children face mental health challenges, yet only 143 clinical psychologists serve our entire nation.
This realization led me to establish The Salud Mental Station in 2022, not out of personal ambition but from a genuine desire to create a safe haven where young people could share their stories without fear of judgment. What began as small group discussions within our school community soon blossomed into structured workshops that have now reached over 400 students.
Making Impact Through Action
Our journey has been marked by several significant initiatives:
Unlock The Power of Friendship (October 6, 2023)
This workshop focused on building authentic connections and support networks among teenagers. In a country where mental health services are scarce, we emphasized the power of peer support and understanding.
Send Loves To Your Important Woman (Vietnamese Women's Day, October 20, 2023)
Recognizing the unique mental health challenges women face in our society, this event created a platform for expressing gratitude while addressing specific mental health concerns affecting women.
Send Note To Your Beloved Teachers (November 20, 2023)
This initiative strengthened the crucial bond between students and educators, acknowledging teachers' role in supporting student mental well-being.
The Psychology Board: Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Our Psychology Board serves as a vital resource hub in a healthcare system where only 9.1% of district-level hospitals offer inpatient mental health treatment. We provide:
- Evidence-based mental health information
- Practical coping strategies
- Resources for seeking professional help
- Stories of hope and recovery
Digital Impact and Community Outreach
Our social media presence has become a powerful tool for change, with engagement growing by over 100% within months of launch. The "Enlightenment" book charity event, in partnership with Bookdeuniverse and Cuckoocleanups, collected over 1,000 books, demonstrating our community's commitment to mental health awareness.
Continuing the Journey
The challenge remains immense – while 14.9% of Vietnam's population suffers from mental disorders, the treatment gap continues to be staggering. Through The Salud Mental Station, we persist in our mission to:
- Expand workshop programs to more schools
- Strengthen partnerships with local authorities
- Conduct research on effective support systems
- Continue growing our digital presence
This isn't just about statistics – it's about transforming lives, one story at a time. Each workshop, each conversation, and each connection brings us closer to our goal of destigmatizing mental health discussions and ensuring that no young person in Vietnam has to face these challenges alone.
To everyone reading this who might be struggling: your feelings are valid, your struggles are real, and you deserve support. The Salud Mental Station is here to listen, help, and stand with you on your journey to mental wellness.
Our work continues, driven by the belief that every story deserves to be heard, every struggle acknowledged, and every individual supported. Together, we can create a future where mental health support is accessible to all Vietnamese youth, where seeking help is normalized, and where no one has to suffer in silence.
Join us in this mission to transform mental health support in Vietnam. Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or community member, there's a place for you in this movement. The journey to better mental health begins with a single conversation – let’s start that conversation now.
Remember: Your mental health matters, and you are never alone in this journey.
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