Mental health, and mental health issues in hospital settings, have been an important focus for OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement team since 2016.
- De-stigmatising mental health
- Providing accessible resources
- Signposting mental health support services for the Vietnamese-speaking community in Vietnam and around the world
This focus was developed after we conducted a survey in 2016 at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD), one of OUCRU’s key partners in Vietnam. It found that 28% of healthcare workers had moderate to severe depression, and 38% had moderate to severe anxiety. The survey was conducted using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) screening tool.
In response, and working with the HTD Social Work Department, OUCRU developed training and resources to support healthcare workers to manage the psychological and social challenges of their work. In parallel, we began a series of hospital radio shows to provide enjoyment and light relief for patients, staff, and family carers at HTD.
The Youth Ambassadors programme, run by the Public and Community Engagement team, also links young people to medical research that impacts their lives and connects researchers to the health issues that young people care about. Our Youth Ambassadors have made resources for young people to de-stigmatise and find out more about mental health.