Mental health

Ha Noi, 5 December 2023 – With an increase in the prevalence of mental health challenges in children and adolescents, and the prevention of abuse and violence against women and children as a key priority in Viet Nam, UNICEF commended today the recent Government decisions that create social work and counselling positions in health and education…

Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, 19 November 2023 - UNICEF is calling for enhanced mental health strategies to support the young generation in Viet Nam as part of World Children’s Day 2023. The findings of the latest National Adolescent Mental Health survey [1] highlight a concerning reality: many children, adolescents and young people are struggling…

Many things on your mind? Heavy, confusing, scary things?  Depression, anxiety, sadness?  You’re not the only one feeling this way. You don’t need to do this alone.  Open Up & Connect! Share your feelings! Mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It determines our ability to…, Why is mental health important? What can children do about it?, Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood. Adolescence, especially, is a critical window of opportunity in their development. Poverty, violence, abuse, gender social norms, school pressures, bullying and life stress events can have major impacts on mental health and psychosocial well-…, What makes young people worried or unhappy?, Do you have a friend who seems to be sad, confused, scared, lonely?  They might need your help. You can help. Be kind, be a good friend.   Open Up & Connect! Ask your friend how they are doing. A simple talk will help a lot!  Experiencing mental health issues is normal. Life circumstances affect us in different ways, so it’s normal to not feel…, Open Up & Connect! , Mental health and recommendations for young people Duy's video about mental health Young people are agents of social change. By working with young people, we have the potential to break long cycles of misinformation, stigma, and negative norms around mental health.   > Back to top, Connect, be supportive, Connect, be supportive Your teen looks sad, confused, scared, lonely?  They are not the only ones feeling this way and you can help.   Grab opportunities to Open Up & Connect with your children.  Be proud of them. Acknowledge their efforts.    As we do for our children’s physical health, we also need to nurture, care for and promote child…, Agents of change, Agents of change One of your students looks sad, confused, scared, lonely?  They might be facing mental health issues. You can help.  Open Up & Connect with your students.  Be proud of them. Acknowledge their efforts.  Be supportive. Help students understand that it’s normal to not always be okay. Help them realize they’re not the only ones…

💥 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍’𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐍! 𝐇𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐3 Are you a technology enthusiast, interested in mental health issues, want to challenge yourself and find technological solutions to support this problem ? The coding competition Youth On! Hackathon 2023 is officially open to applications and "YOU" are the one we are looking for to…

Multimedia package: PHOTOS and VIDEO FOOTAGE   HA NOI/BRUSSELS, 11 May 2023 – Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians who is Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium, wrapped up a three-day visit to Viet Nam that highlighted significant achievements towards realizing child rights as well as the key challenges the most vulnerable children still face.…

Parenting is hard. It’s a full-time job and many parents find themselves prioritizing their family’s well-being before their own. When we are able to meet our own mental and physical needs, it not only benefits our well-being, but our children’s as well. But how do you make it happen? We asked three mental health experts, who are also parents, how…, What have you learned about self-care as a parent?, Lisa: Very often, I think parents assume that taking time for themselves means that they are taking time away from their children. But this isn't true. When we care for ourselves, we are better able to care for our children. And caring for ourselves underscores for our children the importance of self-care while also showing them how it's done.…, How do you personally practice self-care?, Sonali: The time I take out for myself is what I call my 'Pause Rituals' – a conscious pause in the day followed by rituals that are self-soothing at a physical, mental and social level. I came up with this term after I struggled with burnout about 10 years ago. The key is to focus on just one thing when engaging in these self-soothing practices…, How do you find time for self-care?, Hina: Time for self-care feels out of reach for me – it literally slips through my fingers as I run around parenting my two young children and completing the tasks of my day job. I always feel on duty. I prioritize self-care by baking it into my routines with my children and at work. When I brush my teeth, I practice mindfulness, while I cook, I…, How has your family benefitted from your self-care?, Lisa: When I'm well-rested and my mind is clear, I am much more patient with my children and a lot more fun to be around. After a good night's sleep, I have energy to play, host a "kitchen dance party," or come up with other ways to enjoy my daughters' company. And when I'm not distracted by my own concerns, I am much better able to focus on my…

In this time of growth into adulthood, your teen is developing a unique personality and is looking for more independence and responsibility. Teenagers increasingly interact with others through social media and mobile phones. As a result, they may spend less time with family and more time with friends, both online and outside the home. This is also…, Teens can experience, Rapid physical changes which can lead to concerns about body size, shape or weight. Eating problems or concerns. Heightened moodiness and social anxiety. Sadness or depression, which can lead to low self-esteem or other problems.  , More than just feeling blue, Poor mental health in adolescence can go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioural risks, including alcohol or drug use, violent behaviour and unsafe sex. Because many health behaviours and habits carry over from adolescence into adult years, it is very important to support teens in choosing healthy practices that assist their well-being.  , “How are you doing?", You might be getting on well with your teen, or you might be experiencing challenges. Wherever your relationship currently is, it’s important to show that you are always there to help your teen through any tough times with love and support.  , How to start the conversation , Ask them about their day – try to create occasions for a chat like cooking dinner together. Ask open-ended, clarifying questions to understand how they feel. You could try “Could you explain what you mean by…” or “How do you think you would have felt if…” Ask about their opinions and even share your own so that you can understand each other better…, Self-harm, If you are concerned self harm may be an issue, gently raise the subject and try to find out if your teen has ever had thoughts of this. It can help to start by asking about others rather than them, for example, “Some people your age harm themselves, have you ever heard of people doing this from your friends?”. Reassure them that you are always…, Do, Recognize the good along with the bad and praise them for achievements, even small ones. This stage of development is also a time for creativity and personal growth – identify instances of this with your teen. The world feels unpredictable to your teen and they might be struggling to feel in control. Tell them you understand this. Check in on…, Don’t, Take over the discussion and tell them what to do. Ask what you can do to help and work with them to find solutions. Have a discussion when you are angry. Walk away, take a breath and calm down – you can continue the conversation later. Engage in power struggles. Rather than arguing, try to empathize with your teen on their frustrations., Remember: It’s all connected, The good news is that teens are resilient and difficult experiences are part of becoming independent, capable adults. Helping teens feel connected to school, family and friends promotes mental health and prevents a range of negative behaviours, like drug use and violence. Take the time to find ways to support, encourage and engage with your teen.…

As your child enters puberty, they are better able to express their feelings, and have a stronger sense of right and wrong. They can make their own choices about friends, sports and school. With this independence comes a bigger focus on their own personality, interests and friends. They are also undergoing many physical changes like the starting…, A time of change, Rapid physical changes combined with concerns about their appearance and the importance of friendships can affect a child’s mental and emotional well-being. It can be a challenging time for children as they navigate this important stage of development. Knowing that they can talk to you about their worries or problems can make a world of difference…, Children at this age can, Experience moodiness – going back and forth between highs and lows. Feel burdened by schoolwork. Develop eating problems/concerns. Feel sad or anxious which can lead to lack of confidence, low self-esteem and other issues depending on the child.  , How to start the conversation , Make the time and space to start the conversation without any pressure or expectations. Consider a time like while doing chores, cooking or while travelling together. Let the conversation flow naturally – be conversational rather than ‘questioning’. Be sensitive to their mood – if they are having a bad day or are busy, choose a different time.  , Open, honest and direct communication, If you notice changes in your child’s mood or behaviour, gently let them know you’ve noticed and ask if they would like to talk about it. For example: They don’t seem as sociable with their friends as before – did they have an argument? Their school grades go down – is there a particular subject they’re struggling with? They appear to have become…, Do, Listen: Actively try to listen to what they are saying without letting your thoughts and judgement guide the conversation. Respect and encourage your child’s opinion. Acknowledge: Assure them that you understand their thoughts and feelings, encourage them to be open with you and reassure that you are there for them. Remind them that you were this…, Don’t, Tell them what they should do. Instead, ask how you can help them. Dismiss or minimize their feelings. Remember, it is hard to open up about feelings which may be confusing for the child. Argue. Observe your own thoughts and feelings and watch out for conflict. Try and resolve any conflicts or arguments as soon as possible if this happens,…, Remember: Patience and consistency are key, At this age, your child might be expressing less affection towards you and sometimes seem rude or short-tempered. As they become more independent and want to be more in control, chances are you will encounter resistance from them at times. These conversations are new and can sometimes be uncomfortable for your child. Remember, it may take some…

As your child starts school, their physical, mental and social skills are developing rapidly. They are learning to describe experiences and talk more about their emotions. Friendships and peer pressure start becoming more important as they shift their focus from home to the world outside. By spending more time outside home, your child is gaining a…, Time to check in, Starting school brings children face-to-face with the outside world and is a major life event! It is a critical time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life, such as navigating relationships, learning at school and sports, and managing their emotions. Checking in on how they’re doing and supporting them along the way can help them…, How to start the conversation, Start by asking how they’re doing. Talk to your child about school, friends, the things they like and dislike doing and what they find difficult. Use everyday events that cause positive and negative emotions – like winning at sports or scoring low grades – to check in on how your child feels and to forge a strong bond with them. As they get older…, Maintain an open, trusting and loving environment, Help your child feel comfortable about opening up to you. Your child wants to be liked and accepted by people around them. Being accepted by you is the first step toward building confidence. Be mindful of the examples you set. Your child looks to you and picks up on your emotions and how you respond to different situations. Recognize their…, Remember: Your time is a precious gift for your child, Saying “I love you” or hugging your child are not the only ways to show affection. Really listen and show a genuine interest in what they have to say. Have fun together with special activities no matter how small. Include them in family decisions like what to eat for dinner. Let them know that you love them no matter what, even when they make…

From the first smile and first step to experiencing a whole range of emotions, your child is passing many important childhood milestones. This is a time of growth and learning and an ideal time to start supporting your child’s mental well-being.  , Laying the foundations for a happy and healthy life, Your child looks to you for love, learning and safety. Try to spend as much quality time together as possible. Fostering a warm and tender relationship, and helping your child feel safe and cared for, go a long way to laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good mental health.   Jump to: Babies | Toddlers | Pre-schoolers, Babies, Spending quality time with your child is good for both of you. It even releases natural hormones that help you bond with your baby and enhance well-being for both of you! Play with them, cuddle them. Talk to them, sing to them. Respond to their sounds with words so they can begin to understand language and communication., Toddlers, As your child starts to move around more, their desire to explore is increasing. This curiosity needs nurturing and encouragement. Read to your child (every day if you can). Play games that engage their curiosity and learning. Ask your child to name things – start with their name and objects around them, keep it simple. Explore the surroundings…, Pre-schoolers, As your child grows more independent and curious, they will want to explore the world outside and learn about the things around them. Interactions with people will help them develop their own ways of thinking and understand the world around them. Encourage social interaction through play with other children. Invite them to help you with simple age…, What to look out for, Young children are learning how to express themselves and manage big emotions. This can sometimes cause anger or stress when they cannot communicate their needs. When children feel stressed or overwhelmed, they need a loving adult to help reassure them and help them to navigate their feelings.  , Avoid..., Any form of violence, including shouting and hitting. When a child lives in a negative environment it can cause “toxic stress” – harming the child’s growth and development – as well as long term problems in later life. Frequent arguments between parents and people around the child. Tension in the environment can be stressful for children – they…, Remember: Take care of yourself as well, Whether you are a parent of a baby or toddler, you will experience a wide range of emotions at different times – this is normal. Emotions include joy, frustration, fatigue and nervousness. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take time to manage your own stress. Make sure you’ve got good social support around you. Try to have some alone time, so you can…

In every part of the world, poor mental health causes suffering for children and young people. It is a top cause of death, disease and disability, especially for older adolescents. Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age, but most cases go undetected and untreated. Every child has the right to grow up in loving, nurturing and…, Get involved, Learn what needs to happen For parents For young people For policymakers and partners, What needs to happen,   Positive mental health means better life outcomes for children. To achieve this, UNICEF is calling for investment and action to support and protect all children and young people, and a focus on ending neglect, abuse and childhood traumas. Investment for all: Greater and better investment in mental health and psychosocial support services for all…, For parents: Start the conversation,   Far too many children deal with mental health challenges on their own. As parents, we can change that by providing nurturing, loving environments for our children and teenagers, and asking the simple questions – how are you doing, what’s on our mind? Here are tips and resources to do just that whatever age your child might be:, For young people: Share, talk and help each other, Young people around the world are breaking the silence around mental health conditions by speaking out. Learn about the issue and talk about it in a way that prevents misinformation and encourages people to ask for help when they need it. Talk about how you are feeling and reach out and connect with others if you need support or are concerned for…, For policymakers, researchers and partners,   Globally about two per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending. In some countries it’s less than US$1 per person. These figures fall far short of treating mental health conditions, especially for those facing the greatest challenges, and promoting positive mental health for all. We pay a high economic price for…, Impact and stories, The latest on mental health

Schools are one of adolescents’ most important psychosocial environments, offering mental health risk factors, protective factors and opportunities for mental health promotion and support. School-based mental health services are crucial to supporting adolescent student mental health and addressing school-related mental health risk factors. The…