One in five Vietnamese adolescents suffers from mental health issues, but only a quarter of those diagnosed receive treatment through counseling, therapy or medication. According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam is among 35 countries without a dedicated and comprehensive mental health law. In the absence of such a legal framework, early and adequate support from families and schools is seen as essential to safeguarding adolescents’ mental well-being. Figures that speak volumes Nearly 15 million people in Vietnam, or about 14.9% of the population, suffered from mental health issues in 2023, up from 13.5 million in 2015, data from the Ministry of Health showed. Among those affected, 26% had depression, 33% experienced stress-related conditions, and 38% were diagnosed with mental disorders. Among children and adolescents, the rate of mental illness has been rising more rapidly. A study released in February 2018 by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that 8–20% of children and adolescents in Vietnam struggled with mental health issues. The survey focused on the 11–24 age group, which is particularly vulnerable to negative emotional impacts, and was conducted in four provinces and cities: Hanoi, HCMC, Dien Bien, and […]