Not only is it about not having a disease, mental health is also about the ability to live happily, optimistically, adapt and enjoy life, Prof. Dr. Cao Tien Duc, Principal of Buon Ma Thuot University of Medicine and Pharmacy, emphasized when discussing the role of mental health at a Mental Health Science Workshop held on October 10.
According to Professor Duc, the current definition of mental health has changed. Previously, people with mental health were simply understood as no illness. But now, this concept is more positive: it is a state of balance of mind, the ability to build relationships, adapt to changes and effectively deal with difficulties. A person with good mental health will know how to appreciate the present, learn from the past, look forward to the future without being held back by hurt or failure.
In reality, there are many early warning signs of mental disorders such as: unusual sleeping, sleep deprivation, physical and mental fatigue, loss of interest in life, excessive use of stimulants, emotional disorders, even thoughts of harming oneself. If not detected and intervened promptly, these manifestations can progress to mental diseases such as depression, anxiety, paralysis, bilateral emotional disorder, etc.
In recent decades, the world has witnessed an important step forward in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. The emergence of many new-generation drugs, along with evidence-based psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), light therapy, relaxation, music... has helped many patients recover and integrate into society. Digital technology and distance healthcare, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, have also opened up a new direction in diagnosis and mental health care.
However, the challenges are still huge. According to the WHO, up to 70% of people with mental illness worldwide have never been treated. In Vietnam, the rate of common mental disorders is up to 14.8%, of which depression accounts for nearly 3%. There are currently about 450,000 patients with dysentery and more than 2 million people with severe depression, but the team of psychiatric specialists is still thin (0.7 - 0.8 doctors/100,000 people).
Worryingly, the group of children and adolescents - vulnerable people - is receiving little attention. It is estimated that up to 20% of adolescents suffer from mental illness.
Faced with that situation, Prof. Dr. Cao Tien Duc believes that there needs to be an overall strategy: investing in a community-based care network, reducing discrimination, enhancing human resource training, and integrating mental health education into schools and social programs. "mental health is the foundation for each individual to be happy and society to develop sustainably. This is not just a matter of the health sector, but requires the cooperation of families, schools and the whole community, he emphasized.
