Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, OUCRU has been actively involved in Covid-19 diagnostics, treatment, research, health education, and community engagement. We have worked in collaboration with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and respected medical and research institutes across Vietnam.
The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had a negative effect on mental health on a global scale, and especially amongst children and adolescents.1, 2, 3
In Vietnam, the fourth and most severe wave of the Covid-19 pandemic (beginning in April 2021), resulted in increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health issues, with particular individual contexts adding to vulnerability. Further, global travel restrictions which impacted overseas Vietnamese reuniting with family exacerbated the impact of the pandemic experience for affected individuals and communities.
In response to these issues, and recognising that many people do not know where to turn for mental health support, the Public and Community Engagement Department (PCE) of OUCRU Vietnam has compiled a directory of professional mental health services and health-related support groups. This has been done in consultation with mental health experts in Vietnam.
“Caring for Mental Health and Wellbeing”: A directory of services for Vietnamese communities and people living in Vietnam is divided into three parts:
- Specialized mental health services
- Covid-19 related mental health services
- Other health-related support
You can download the directory here.
This resource aims to support Vietnamese people (in Vietnam and overseas), and others living in Vietnam, to access services that can support their mental health needs. It is also intended as a resource for mental health professionals and service providers, enabling them to expand their networks and better support their users with details of other relevant services. Services listed in the directory include those that are available online and in-person, and in Vietnam and as well as overseas.
For queries and comments relating to this directory, please email publicengagement@oucru.org.
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References
(1) World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental health & COVID-19. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/mental-health-and-covid-19
(2) UNICEF Vietnam. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on poor mental health in children and young people ‘tip of the iceberg’ – UNICEF. Retrieved from
(3) Le, P. (2021, September 4). HCMC to launch mental health care program amid lockdown.
VnExpress. Retrieved from https://e.vnexpress.net/news/
