Mental health and self-care among Vietnamese psychosocial service providers: experience and lessons learned from the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on societies worldwide, contributing to a significant rise in mental health issues. In Vietnam, psychosocial service providers, who play a critical role in supporting vulnerable groups and communities, have faced intensified challenges due to increased service demands and risks of infection during the pandemic. As the mental health status and self-care needs of this professional group were under-researched, this study was conducted immediately after the pandemic to offer insights into their well-being. The paper presents an exploration of the mental health disorders experienced by psychosocial service providers. Moreover, it describes how local psychosocial service providers practice self-care. The findings highlight the significance of self-care in promoting their overall well-being and professional efficacy in their daily work and during crises.