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Discussing mental well-being challenges and solutions at the Vietnam AmCham
Over the past two decades, the Government of Vietnam has devoted increasing attention to the mental health of the population. The country has maintained a strong and sustained move towards coordination between the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, community-based social support programs and legal frameworks to support the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
On 20th June, Aetna hosted a panel discussion on mental wellness with the theme, Small changes, big impact in partnership with the American Chambers of Commerce in Vietnam.
Commenting on the challenges compounding mental illness in the country, Ms Minh Nguyen, Country Manager of Aetna International in Vietnam, said “Maintaining good mental health is no easy task in a fast-developing country like Vietnam; more so in the bustling Ho Chi Minh City.
“Our mental well-being is dependent on numerous factors, from the physical to the emotional, social connectedness to financial security. Managing these factors looks different for every individual, so it’s important to find the right recipe for yourself. Even small actions allow for meaningful progress.”
The discussion was moderated by Ms. Minh Nguyen and was attended by approximately 35 executives from a range of industries including law, education, shipping, and auditing. The attendees also included representatives from brokerage firms Aon, Mercer Marsh Benefits, and Willis Towers Watson — to name a few.
The panelists included Mr. Choo Kum Seng, VP of Business Solutions, Asia Pacific at Workplace Options; Dr. Miguel Fernando Dinis de Seixas, a Psychiatrist with the Family Medical Practice; Mr. Bill Watson, Managing Director of Coats Phong Phu Co. Ltd.; and Mrs. Diana Watson, Founder of Maison Du Magnolia.
During the discussion, the panelists covered topics including:
- the stigmas associated with mental health issues in Vietnam
- the stressors expatriates face when relocating, as well as
- what employers can do to support their staff in their mental wellness journeys
Today, Aetna’s award-winning Summit health plans for employers offer a built-in Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — at no additional cost — to help companies support the mental well-being of their employees. With the program, Aetna members get access to confidential counselling from behavioral health experts in 200 countries around the world; by phone call, email, web and even chat messaging via an app.
