Challenges in Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care in Vietnam

In order to alleviate the burden of mental health problems in low-and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization has developed a guideline to integrate mental health into primary health care. The framework was used to assess the Vietnam mental health system and the progress of integrating mental health into primary care. Vietnam has a weak mental health system governance with no mental health policy and legislation and an ineffective action plan. Like other developing countries, Vietnam is having institutional approach in providing formal mental health services such as psychiatric hospitals and social protection centers. Informal community care providers which care for most of people with mental disorders were ignored by the government. In addition, mental health human resource is facing shortage in terms of quantity and limited quality. Based on the context, four main key challenges were discussed including the lack of mental health policy and legislation; inappropriate service organization and planning; human resource shortage; and lack of evidence-based interventions. Recommendations are raised to address these challenges to promote the implementation of the primary mental health care in Vietnam.<p></p>