Protecting mental health in disasters and emergencies

- In the vortex of natural disasters, epidemics and emergencies, a type of "invisible trauma" is becoming increasingly evident, causing many people to collapse mentally. The theme of World Mental Health Day on October 10 this year is "Access to mental health care in disasters and emergencies" which is not only a reminder but also a strong statement about the need to take timely action to build a strong, resilient community.

Neuropsychiatric examination at Lang Son Provincial Center for Disease Control

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 22% of the global population affected by emergency situations may suffer from mental disorders, of which 9% are at moderate to severe levels and 13% have mild disorders with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, prolonged insomnia or post-traumatic stress disorder... The need for mental health care also becomes urgent when many people are facing social pressure, natural disasters, epidemics and climate change.

In Vietnam, every year hundreds of thousands of people are affected by emergencies such as natural disasters, conflicts, epidemics, serious accidents, etc. These emergencies can exacerbate mental health and social problems such as poverty and discrimination. They can also contribute to new problems such as family separation and social evils.

Lang Son is a mountainous province that regularly faces natural emergencies such as floods, landslides, severe cold, and infectious diseases. These situations not only cause material damage but also affect the mental health of the people, especially children, the elderly, women and ethnic minorities.

Every year, the Provincial General Hospital organizes neurological examinations for about 8,000 patients. The Center for Disease Control also organizes examinations for about more than 1,000 people.

By the end of September 2025, the province had managed and treated more than 2,700 psychiatric patients in the community, including 16 patients with new regular medication and follow-up books. These figures clearly reflect the increase in mental health problems in the community, especially in rural areas, remote areas, and extremely disadvantaged areas.

In fact, the provincial health sector has made many efforts to improve operational efficiency, but the shortage of specialized human resources and services is still uneven. In addition, social prejudice is still an invisible barrier that makes patients hesitate and delay seeking professional support, slowing down the recovery process.

Dr. Hoang Thi Yen, Deputy Head of the Department of Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Nutrition, Provincial Center for Disease Control, affirmed: “Mental health cannot be neglected in a crisis. Ensuring timely care is the foundation for sustainable recovery, helping people stabilize their lives.” According to Dr. Yen, to achieve effectiveness, it is necessary to synchronously deploy many solutions instead of focusing only on post-treatment.

Each family member needs to be a shield to protect themselves and their loved ones. Maintaining social connections, sharing feelings, ensuring sleep and nutrition, exercising, and proactively seeking help when unusual signs persist are indispensable actions. Children need a safe space to share their fears, while the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases need regular monitoring.

World Mental Health Day 10/10/2025 is held with the theme “Access to mental health care in disasters and emergencies” and the message “Mental health in emergencies: Timely support, sustainable recovery” - a call to action. Caring for mental health, especially for those affected by disasters and emergencies, is one of the strategic tasks in the work of caring for and protecting people's health. Only when the spirit is strengthened can we be steadfast and resilient in overcoming crises, protecting health, building happy families and a prosperous society.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/bao-ve-suc-khoe-tam-than-trong-tham-hoa-va-tinh-huong-khan-cap-5061133.html