During their visit, the experts collaborated closely with Caritas Dalat staff, sharing invaluable knowledge and skills to strengthen the Trong Duc Mental Health Care Project.
The program was divided between field visits and training sessions:
Field Visits from July 27 & 29, 2024: Gaining Firsthand Insights - to help the experts gain a comprehensive understanding of the mental health care landscape in Lam Dong:
- Trong Duc Centre (Male & Female Campuses)
- Hy Vong Social Support Facility (Bao Loc) – by the Brothers of Charity
- Home Visits: 03 families in the Rehabilitation Group.
These visits provided a direct look into the challenges and opportunities in community-based mental health care. The experts observed how Caritas Dalat is implementing its patient-centred approach, focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and family support.
Training Sessions from July 30 to August 2, 2024: Enhancing Skills & Perspectives. The training program aimed to equip Caritas staff with a deeper understanding of mental health, human behaviour, and social work principles:
- Day 1: Understanding the Self & Family: Explored the importance of family and its life cycle from marriage to death. Emphasized how family dynamics impact individuals with mental health conditions, enabling staff to offer more effective support.
- Day 2: Factors Influencing Human Behavior: Examined genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that shape personality and behaviour. Covered the role of childhood experiences, beliefs, and personal history in mental health. Provided staff with a holistic view of patients, fostering empathy and deeper understanding.
- Day 3: Mental Health Awareness & Disorders: Introduced technical terminology related to mental health. Identified common mental health conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks, and OCD. Severe illnesses: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder. Helped staff recognize symptoms and understand how to respond appropriately.
- Day 4: Core Social Work Skills & Values: focus on 06 essential beliefs and principles in social work:
- Humans are inherently good.
- Every individual has potential.
- People have an unlimited capacity for self-expression.
- Behavior can be understood and predicted.
- Behavior can be modified.
- Behavior change happens through family and community support.
Dr. Rajaram’s engaging teaching style made complex topics accessible and meaningful. Participants gained practical skills and deeper self-awareness, enhancing their ability to support patients with compassion and professionalism. This program not only empowered Caritas staff but also had a lasting impact on patients, their families, and the broader community.
By fostering understanding, empathy, and specialized knowledge, Caritas Dalat continues to improve the quality of mental health care and advocate for a more inclusive and supportive society.
Cil Thuy