From March 5 to 7, under the DREAMH project, SCDI collaborated with Pierre Nicole Center and the Department of Psychiatry at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy to organize a training workshop on mental health care for vulnerable populations. The program brought together psychiatrists from hospitals and mental health care facilities across six provinces and cities in Vietnam.

Over the three days, participants explored an overview of the project and the quick mental health screening tool (QST). They also exchanged perspectives on several key topics in clinical practice. Discussions focused on early identification of mental health support needs, factors that may affect mental well-being, motivational interviewing approaches, and important considerations during treatment.

Beyond updating technical knowledge, the training also created space for participants to share practical experiences and insights from their work with vulnerable communities. These exchanges contributed to strengthening mental health care practices that pay closer attention to individual contexts and lived experiences, helping ensure that support is more responsive and holistic.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for the project team to gather feedback from participating psychiatrists. These inputs will be reviewed and incorporated into the process of refining coordination mechanisms among partners, helping ensure that the next phase of project implementation remains effective and grounded in local realities.

The DREAMH project - Developing a Reinforced Access To Mental Health Care for Key Populations - aims to promote the integration of mental health services into comprehensive community-based health care. Implemented from 2025 to 2028 across six provinces and cities, the project focuses on early screening, support, and referral to quality health services, helping build a continuous support system that improves quality of life for vulnerable populations.

The participation of psychiatrists, hospitals, and mental health care facilities plays an important role in linking community-based support with specialized services. Through this coordination, individuals in need can receive appropriate counseling, diagnosis, and treatment, while continuing to benefit from support and accompaniment from community teams throughout their care journey.

SCDI sincerely thanks the Pierre Nicole Center, the Department of Psychiatry at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and the participating doctors for their time and valuable contributions to the program.