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Maternal and infant mental health in Vietnam: a scientific meeting to review research, health care and policy implications
15:24' 11/6/2010

In 2004, the first evidence about the prevalence of mental health problems in women who are mothering infants and young children in Vietnam was published in the international literature.  In the subsequent five years there has been growing recognition that mental health is of central importance to strategies to improve the health of women and children.  The Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) has in collaboration with international partners led initiatives to implement these, including a program of research in Ha Nam Province.


A group of national and international stakeholders with a common commitment to reducing the burden of mental health problems experienced by women during pregnancy while mothering infants and young children propose that a scientific meeting is needed to review progress.  The Scientific Committee will be convened by Dr Tran Tuan, Executive Director of the RTCCD and Dr. Nguyen Nhu Lam, the Vice President of Ha Nam Provincial People’s Committee.  The meeting will be held on 12th June in Ha Nam where most of the local epidemiological data about the burden of perinatal mental disorders in women have been generated. 

 

The meeting has six objectives:

1.    To review what has been achieved to date regarding mental health care both in Vietnam and internationally

2.    Identify the mental health care needs of women, infants and young children in resource-constrained countries including Vietnam and agreement on a pilot action framework for maternal and infant mental health care for Ha Nam province

3.    Create links between maternal mental health, caretaking capacity and child development

4.    To create community-based, cost-effective, non-stigmatizing interventions;

5.    To asses the implications of policy

6.    Collaborate with partners to address these issues;

 

If you are interested in the mental health care of mothers and infants or are working in this area, you are invited to register to attend this scientific meeting. Please find enclosed the meeting invitation, and contact Ms. Dang Hai Tho (haithodt@gmail.com or office@rtccd.org.vn) for logistical informarmation. For meeting information, please click here.