Hanoi (VNA)🦩 – UNICEF is calling for enhanced mental health care strategies to support young generations in Vietnam as part of World Children’s Day 2023.

According to the latest results of the National Adolescent Mental Health Survey, many children, adolescents and young people are struggling with mental health challenges while lacking essential coping skills, support or services critical to their overall welfare. The survey showed that one in five, or 20% of adolescents face a mental health issue, with only 8.4% being able to access necessary support services or counselling for emotional and behavioural challenges. Only 5.1% of parents recognised that their juvenile children needed help for emotional and behavioural problems. UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers congratulated the Vietnamese Government on its current efforts to develop a comprehensive mental health care strategy. UNICEF encourages a specific focus on early intervention, introducing relevant strategies and interventions specifically designed for children and juveniles, that build skills and resilience and promote mental health, she said. Children and juveniles, parents and teachers need to be equipped with skills, knowledge and resources to enjoy and promote mental health, Flowers said. “It is essential that all of us – parents, teachers, social workers, health workers, the government and private sector — work to de-stigmatise mental health. We must understand how the experience and response for girls and boys may differ. It is important to actively and persistently promote mental well-being approaches and strategies to strengthen the prevention of serious risks in this area,” she emphasised. Starting from November 20 which marks the anniversary of the coming into force of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a communication campaign was launched to deliver mental health-related information and positive approaches. Named “Open Up & Connect”, this campaign will run until December 11 - UNICEF’s 77th anniversary - providing tips, resources and creative ideas, as well as information on learning how to better identify when a friend, daughter, son, student or oneself are struggling. Quick tips and activities will provide coping strategies as well as encourage all to open up and connect with others – a friend, parent, teacher — who can provide support. Flowers said that mental health is just as normal and important as our physical health. It is critical that this is addressed at all levels - at home, at school, in communities and by the government. This will ensure that the National Mental Health Strategy that the Government of Vietnam is working on has a specific focus on children and adolescents. To promote mental well-being, UNICEF Vietnam will organise an event on November 28 in Hanoi where experts from several ministries and academia will analyse the national mental health situation of children and juveniles, and share ideas and lessons learnt in support of a dynamic and child/adolescent sensitive national strategy. Children and youths’ participation is a core principle of the CRC and UNICEF said it is committed to engaging the population that it serves in activities and discussions on areas that matter to them and will impact their lives. Thus, on World Children’s Day, UNICEF Vietnam enhances their participation, including children’s takeovers in various offices undertaking adults’ roles for a few hours, speaking about their concerns, sharing ideas and gaining an insight into employment opportunities that will need their skills in the future. UNICEF Vietnam’s young entrepreneur network NexGen initiative has also partnered with businesses in Ho Chi Minh City to welcome groups of children and juveniles as a part of the World Children’s Day agenda. Landmark buildings in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang will switch their lighting to blue to celebrate the rights of every child./.