The program was hosted by Ms. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Director of BasicNeeds Vietnam, and Ms. Pham Thi Son from the Line Command Department of Ninh Binh Mental Hospital.
This visit provided Caritas Dalat with a valuable opportunity to observe, exchange knowledge, and engage with medical professionals working in community-based mental health care. The team visited field locations, met healthcare staff from mental hospitals and medical stations, and participated in community depression management activities under the project "Strengthening the Capacity of the Health System on Community-Based Care for Effective Depression Management in Ninh Binh Province." This initiative, launched in May 2022, has been implemented in 11 communes of Hoa Lu District and 10 communes of Ninh Binh City.
Program Itinerary & Key Activities
November 5, 2024, Caritas Da Lat staff observed and participated in project activities, gaining insight into the urban implementation of the depression management model in Nam Binh Ward Medical Center, Ninh Binh City
November 6, 2024, Caritas Da Lat joined activities in a rural setting, allowing for comparisons between urban and rural applications of the project in Yen Hoa Commune Medical Center, Yen Mo District.
Group Therapy Activities – "Happiness Class"
One of the highlights of the program was participation in the "Happiness Class," a group therapy session designed for patients identified through depression screening. These 90-minute sessions are structured based on research and include:
- Mood assessments before and after the session
- Therapeutic games to foster engagement and emotional expression
- Guided therapy discussions based on a structured curriculum
Through direct experience and professional discussions, Caritas Da Lat staff gained a deeper understanding of group therapy coordination and its impact on community-based mental health care.
Following the class, Ms. Tam and the medical team facilitated an in-depth discussion, answering questions about the patient screening process using standardized tools such as PHQ-2 and PHQ-9. This session provided valuable insights into how patients are identified, assessed, and referred for therapy, giving Caritas Dalat a clearer understanding of the operational steps leading to the establishment of “Happiness Class”
By visiting both urban and rural settings, Caritas Dalat was able to: Compare implementation models in different community contexts; Gain practical knowledge of community-based depression management; and Learn effective mental health intervention strategies.
This trip marks the beginning of a strengthened partnership, bringing sustainable mental health care solutions to those in need with mental health problems in Vietnam. More importantly, this visit deepened the connection between Caritas Dalat and BasicNeeds Vietnam, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. BasicNeeds Vietnam has expressed its commitment to providing further technical support and professional cooperation in Caritas’ community-based mental health care initiatives.
This learning exchange was highly enriching, equipping Caritas Dalat staff with new perspectives, practical experience, and essential skills for working with the community. Thanks to the dedicated support of Ms Tam and the medical team, Caritas Da Lat is now better prepared to enhance the quality of mental health support for vulnerable populations.
K Diem