Mental health is crucial, since it is directly linked to the quality of life, the happiness of families, social security and the prosperity of the nation, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has said. In a meeting to commemorate World Mental Health Day (October 10), the Vice President said Vietnam continuously regarded the provision of medical care, especially mental health services , as a leading priority for the improvement of the quality of human resources, who serve the country’s development. The event saw the participation of scientists and experts from the World Health Organization and the World Psychiatric Association, and numerous international specialists from all over the world, such as Japan, France, Australia, the US, the Republic of Korea, Canada, Germany, Cambodia and New Zealand. The meeting heard that the number of people suffering from mental health problems is increasing due to the pressures of modern life and unhealthy lifestyles. Mental health problems come in different forms, including symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and emotional and behavioral disorders. Recent statistics show that approximately 15% of Vietnam’s population suffers from mental disorders. Last year, almost 21,000 people were diagnosed with and treated for schizophrenia, according to the Ministry of Public Health. According to the WHO, mental disorders account for 14% of diseases worldwide, with 75% of cases reported in low-and medium-income countries. The rate of the elderly suffering from mental disorders has increased alarmingly. It is predicted that approximately 2,000 people will lose their sanity each day by 2030. Vietnam has established a network of mental health care in the community, with a focus on providing treatment for patients living with schizophrenia. However, the country also faces a number of shortcomings, including a shortage of medical staff and mental health facilities specializing in mental illness, as well as ineffective coordination between relevant sectors. (Vietnamplus.vn Oct 3)
