In 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) continued to provide mental health support for students, combining proactive awareness-raising and the prevention of psychological problems with free access to professional counselling services. Support is delivered under the Procedure for Psychological Support and Counselling for Learners (code CSHTNH.QT.13), led by the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), which serves as the focal point for intake, counselling and referral to specialist support. It combines communication, workshops, meditation and yoga with 1:1 psychological counselling and referral to physicians and experts when needed. Activities have been extended to UEH Mekong, member schools, the Youth Union and Student Association, and student clubs, teams and groups. All services and programmes are provided free of charge to learners.
In 2025, UEH’s support system recorded 12 in-depth articles on mental health; 05 workshops and talkshows, and a meditation and yoga series with more than 200 student participants; a seminar on recognizing and caring for mental health that attracted more than 500 students and staff; and a stress management and emotional balance programme at UEH Mekong for more than 300 students.
In parallel, students receive free 1:1 psychological counselling, in person or online, with DSA counsellors, accessible through DSA at the Ho Chi Minh City campuses or the Academic Affairs Office at UEH Mekong; the ISB Institute provides free psychological counselling programmes for its students; and cases requiring specialist support are referred to physicians and professional experts. Academic advisors and lecturers at UEH Mekong are also trained in understanding students’ psychological needs so that they can identify concerns early and refer students to appropriate support channels. The University recorded 10 individual counselling cases, of which 6 showed signs of depression or anxiety disorders and 04 were referred to physicians or professional experts.
Mental health promotion was also extended to faculty level through programmes such as “Wounds of Words” and “Sound To Soul”, which focused on recognizing verbal abuse, improving sleep quality, managing stress and building healthy relationships. Combining professional counselling with education and prevention gives students access to many forms of mental health care, from recognizing their own difficulties to seeking help when needed.
Mental health support programmes for students in 2025
| No. | Service/Activity | Target group | Implementation | Results/Impact |
| 1 |
1:1 psychological counselling and referral to experts (DSA) Access: Free |
Students at all levels and in all programmes in Ho Chi Minh City and at UEH Mekong |
DSA provides in-person or online psychological counselling with counsellors; students contact DSA at the Ho Chi Minh City campuses or the Academic Affairs Office at UEH Mekong; cases showing signs of depression or anxiety disorders are referred to physicians and experts for specialist treatment. The service is delivered under the Procedure for Psychological Support and Counselling for Learners at UEH (code CSHTNH.QT.13); students pay no fee to use it. Source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, “A sustainable journey of student mental health care”, December 23, 2025, https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/ho-tro-tam-ly/hanh-trinh-ben-vung-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tinh-than-sinh-vien/ Source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, “Procedure for Psychological Support and Counselling for Learners at UEH” (code CSHTNH.QT.13), https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/quy-dinh-quy-trinh-huong-dan/quy-trinh-ho-tro-tham-van-tam-ly-nguoi-hoc-tai-ueh/ Source: UEH Portal, “UEH Mekong: Supporting students through policy – Building a journey of holistic development”, July 23, 2025, https://www.ueh.edu.vn/tuyen-sinh/ueh-mekong-dong-hanh-bang-chinh-sach-kien-tao-hanh-trinh-phat-trien-toan-dien-cho-sinh-vien-74498 |
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| 2 |
Seminar “Building capacity to recognize and care for mental health” (DSA) Access: Free |
Students and staff |
Held on October 31, 2025 at Hall A.116, Campus A, with Dr. Phạm Minh Triết, MD, PhD (PhD in Psychology, Australian National University). Topics: causes and signs of stress, anxiety disorders and burnout; levels of risk; self-care tools; helping first-year students adapt to a new environment; and a live Q&A session.
Dr. Phạm Minh Triết speaks at the programme Source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, “Building capacity to recognize and care for mental health for learners at UEH”, October 21, 2025, https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/tin-tuc/nang-cao-nang-luc-nhan-dien-va-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tam-than-cho-nguoi-hoc-tai-ueh/ Source: UEH Portal, “Building capacity to recognize and care for mental health – A journey towards balance and happiness in the UEHer community”, November 10, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/nang-cao-nang-luc-nhan-dien-va-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tam-than-8211-hanh-trinh-kien-tao-can-bang-va-hanh-phuc-trong-cong-dong-uehers-75205 |
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| 3 |
Programme “Mental health care – Building a happy UEHer community” (DSA) Access: Free |
UEH learners |
In August 2025, at Simulation Room B2.105, Nguyen Tri Phuong Campus, Dr. Phạm Minh Triết, MD, PhD, shared how to recognize common mental health disorders and treatment options; after the session, learners received 1:1 counselling with the expert.
Dr. Phạm Minh Triết, MD, PhD, shares how to recognize common mental health disorders with UEH learners Source: UEH Portal, “Mental health care – Building a happy UEHer community”, August 12, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/cham-soc-suc-khoe-tinh-than-8211-xay-dung-cong-dong-uehers-hanh-phuc-74606 |
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| 4 |
Meditation and yoga series for body and mind care (DSA) Access: Free |
Learners at all levels and in all programmes |
An exam-season well-being workshop in the N1 lobby, Nguyen Van Linh Campus (May 2025), with yoga instructor Maisie Huỳnh, covering the causes of stress, breathing, gentle yoga and meditation; and the activity “Physical and mental health care with meditation” on floor B1.12A (October 2025), featuring a talk by speaker Minh Chi on nutrition for physical and mental health, meditation, singing bowl meditation and stretching yoga, as part of the 2025 care series for learners at all levels and in all programmes.
Students practise breathing and yoga at the exam-season workshop (May 2025) and the activity “Physical and mental health care with meditation” (October 2025) Source: UEH Portal, “Caring for UEH students’ health during exam season”, May 13, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/cung-sinh-vien-ueh-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tinh-than-trong-mua-thi-74080 Source: UEH Portal, “Balancing body and mind with meditation for learners at all levels and in all programmes”, October 11, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/can-bang-than-tam-voi-thien-danh-cho-nguoi-hoc-cac-bac-he-74966 Source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, “A sustainable journey of student mental health care”, December 23, 2025, https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/ho-tro-tam-ly/hanh-trinh-ben-vung-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tinh-than-sinh-vien/ |
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| 5 |
Mental health article series and communication workshops (DSA) Access: Free |
UEH learners |
Articles on burnout, stress management, impostor syndrome, study–life balance and basic psychological first aid; the article “How to stop overthinking” offered self-care skills and encouraged students to contact DSA counsellors when needed; and workshops on emotional management, positive thinking, setting personal boundaries and time management. Source: UEH Department of Student Affairs, “A sustainable journey of student mental health care”, December 23, 2025, https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/ho-tro-tam-ly/hanh-trinh-ben-vung-cham-soc-suc-khoe-tinh-than-sinh-vien/ Source: UEH Portal, “How to stop overthinking”, February 8, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/cach-ngung-suy-nghi-qua-nhieu-73339 Source: UEH Portal, “Rest or strive – Young people and their inner summer struggle”, June 1, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/nghi-ngoi-hay-no-luc-8211-gioi-tre-va-cuoc-giang-co-noi-tam-mua-he-74226 Source: UEH Portal, “Balancing study and mental health for students”, September 29, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/can-bang-giua-hoc-tap-va-suc-khoe-tinh-than-danh-cho-sinh-vien-74886 |
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| 6 |
Psychological counselling programme “Stress Management – Emotional Balance” (UEH Mekong) Access: Free |
Cohort 49 and Cohort 50 full-time undergraduate students at UEH Mekong |
On March 8, 2025, Dr. Hồ Nhật Quang (a laughter yoga trainer) spoke about stress, self-imposed pressure and the effects of negative emotions on health and study; students practised breathing exercises and laughter yoga.
UEH Mekong lecturers and students take a commemorative photo with Dr. Hồ Nhật Quang Source: UEH Portal, “UEH Mekong holds a mental health counselling session for students on ‘Stress Management – Emotional Balance’”, March 10, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/ueh-mekong/cuoc-song-ueh-mekong/ueh-mekong-to-chuc-buoi-tu-van-tam-ly-suc-khoe-tinh-than-cho-sinh-vien-voi-chu-de-quan-ly-cang-thang-can-bang-cam-xuc-73574 |
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| 7 |
Student mental health support programme “Wounds of Words” – Youth Union and Student Association of the UEH Faculty of Foreign Languages (March 20 – April 5, 2025) Access: Free |
UEH students and students of other universities in Ho Chi Minh City |
The Youth Union and Student Association of the Faculty of Foreign Languages organized the student mental health support programme “Wounds of Words” to raise awareness of the impact of verbal abuse on emotions, relationships and mental health. The programme comprised two main activities: the “Lời hồi âm” (Echoes) communication booth on March 20–21, 2025 in the B1 lobby, Campus B, and the “Wounds of Words” talkshow on April 5, 2025 at Hall A.116, Campus A. Through hands-on activities, sharing and discussion with experts, the programme gave students a space to recognize psychological harm caused by words, practise positive communication and build healthy relationships. Source: Youth Union and Student Association of the UEH Faculty of Foreign Languages (Facebook), “Student Mental Health Support Programme 2025: Wounds of Words”, March 17, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EZ6DGnGSg/ Source: Youth Union and Student Association of the UEH Faculty of Foreign Languages (Facebook), “Wounds of Words – Launch of the Activation Booth: Lời hồi âm”, March 19, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18m5fMgzDn/ |
The programme helped students raise awareness of verbal abuse, recognize their own emotions and learn communication and behavioural approaches that support mental health. It complements DSA’s support system through education and prevention at faculty level. |
| 8 |
Mental health care series “Sound To Soul” – Youth Union and Student Association of the UEH Faculty of Tourism (April 25 – May 14, 2025) Access: Free |
UEH students |
The Youth Union and Student Association of the Faculty of Tourism organized the “Sound To Soul” series to raise awareness of the role of sleep in students’ mental health, psychological resilience and academic performance. The programme included three activities: a challenge to share sleep habits and try sleep improvement practices (including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) test and a 7-day experience with 20 volunteers) from April 25 to May 4, 2025; a Dreamcatcher workshop with an exhibition on May 12–13, 2025; and the talkshow “Sleep Therapy Solutions” on May 14, 2025. Through interactive activities and knowledge sharing, the programme encouraged students to recognize unhealthy sleep habits, balance rest and study, and actively practise ways to improve their sleep quality. Source: Youth Union and Student Association of the UEH Faculty of Tourism (Facebook), “Sound To Soul – Launch of the PSQI test as part of the 2025 student mental health care series”, April 25, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E62he8oW2/ Source: Youth Union and Student Association of the UEH Faculty of Tourism (Facebook), “Sound To Soul – Recruiting volunteers for a 7-day sleep quality improvement experience”, April 27, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15Qy9QCJLg/ |
Students gained access to sleep education, shared personal experiences and learned ways to improve the quality of their rest, helping prevent stress and fatigue and supporting their mental health. |
| 9 |
Training course “Counselling skills and understanding learners’ psychology” (UEH Mekong) Access: Free |
Academic advisors, lecturers and management staff at UEH Mekong |
On December 5–6, 2025, Dr. Mai Mỹ Hạnh (Vice Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education) delivered training in six skill areas: counselling principles, questioning, listening, reflecting, empathy and evaluating counselling effectiveness, helping participants recognize and understand students’ psychological needs.
Dr. Mai Mỹ Hạnh speaks at the training course “Counselling skills and understanding learners’ psychology” for UEH Mekong staff Source: UEH Portal, “UEH Mekong: Stepping up staff capacity building – a key solution for the new phase”, December 16, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/ueh-mekong-day-manh-boi-duong-chuyen-mon-nang-cao-nang-luc-doi-ngu-giang-vien-va-co-van-hoc-tap-theo-dinh-huong-lay-nguoi-hoc-lam-trung-tam-75537 |
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| 10 |
Free psychological counselling and exam-season support (ISB Institute) Access: Free |
ISB Institute students |
The ISB Institute runs free psychological counselling programmes to help students reduce stress, and the “Boost Box” programme, which gives free snack packs to students during exam season. Source: UEH Portal, “15 years of ISB: Continuous innovation towards a global future”, February 2, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/15-nam-isb-khong-ngung-doi-moi-de-huong-toi-mot-tuong-lai-toan-cau-73322 |
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| 11 |
UEH English Zone – a space for connection and stress relief Access: Free |
UEH students |
Regular activities throughout the year: EZ Talks (“FOMO – Fear of Missing Out”, “Vicious Cycle” on the spiral of pressure, and “The Harsh Truth” on the impact of social media on relationships), film screenings and discussions (EZ Silver Screen), board games and DIY activities; and the workshop “Unlock your academic superpowers – Study like a Pro” (June 2025) on time management, critical thinking, exam preparation strategies and self-love in learning.
Students take part in connection and stress-relief activities at UEH English Zone in February 2025 Source: UEH Portal, “Lively sounds at UEH English Zone”, March 2, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/nhung-thanh-am-ron-rang-tai-ueh-english-zone-73495 Source: UEH Portal, “Developing academic skills at university level”, June 16, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/phat-trien-ky-nang-hoc-thuat-bac-dai-hoc-74336 Source: UEH Portal, “Wrapping up a lively summer at UEH English Zone”, July 31, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/khep-lai-mua-he-soi-noi-cung-ueh-english-zone-74534 Source: UEH Portal, “Travelling through September’s recharging stations at UEH English Zone”, October 6, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/cung-du-hanh-qua-nhung-tram-sac-thang-9-tai-ueh-english-zone-74935 Source: UEH Portal, “UEH English Zone – November, where conversations keep pace with life”, December 2, 2025, https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/ueh-english-zone-8211-thang-11-noi-nhung-cuoc-tro-chuyen-hoa-nhip-cuoc-song-75473 |
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2025 Results and Key Highlights Compared with 2024
In 2025, UEH continued to maintain its mental health support system, combining prevention, education and professional intervention. Activities went beyond awareness-raising to include individual psychological counselling, referral to physicians and experts, self-care skills practice and capacity building for academic advisors to recognize psychological concerns.
Compared with 2024, programmes in 2025 continued across many units, with stronger participation from the Youth Union and Student Association in actively promoting mental health. In addition to programmes run by DSA and UEH Mekong, faculty-level activities focused on issues close to students’ daily lives, such as communication pressure, verbal abuse, delayed sleep habits and the balance between study and rest. These initiatives broadened preventive education and encouraged learners to pay attention to their mental health in everyday life.
By combining a free counselling system with awareness-raising and prevention programmes in 2025, UEH continued to enable students to take care of their mental health, recognize psychological difficulties early and access appropriate professional support. This is part of the University’s commitment to building a safe, supportive and happy university environment, contributing to SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being.