Adopting a cross-sectional study design, we aimed to examine the prevalence of psychological problems in different healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospitals in these COVID-19 hotspots (Da Nang city and Quang Nam province) and to explore the socioeconomic and COVID-19 control-related factors that are associated with various psychological problems. A total of 611 healthcare workers were included in the final analysis from 1 August 2020 to 31 August 2020. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and overall psychological problems was 26.84%, 34.70%, 34.53%, and 46.48%, respectively. The prevalence rates of anxiety were approximately equal amongst the groups of healthcare workers, and moderate-to-severe anxiety was the most common in physicians (11.11%). The prevalence of depression was the highest in nurses (38.65%) and moderate-to-severe depression was mainly found in physicians (11.81%). The prevalence rates of insomnia were 34.03% in physicians, 36.20% in nurses, and 31.21% in technicians; in particular, the rate of moderate-to-severe insomnia was higher in physicians and nurses compared to technicians. The prevalence of overall moderate-to-severe psychological problems was the highest among physicians (14.58%), followed by nurses (12.58%) and technicians (9.22%). Statistically significant associated factors of current psychological problems were the occupations of physicians or nurses, less than 1 year of experience, university education, living with 4–5 people, reporting 1000–5000 m distance between home and workplace, participating in the COVID-19 control for less than 1 week, being under social isolation at home, being affected a lot by the community, reporting inadequate equipment in current workplace conditions, frequently working in the department directly in contact with the COVID-19 patients, and feeling anxious, stressed, or sad about current works. Present findings can provide valuable evidence for the policymakers and managers to adopt supportive, encouraging, motivational, protective, training, and educational interventions into healthcare workforce in other parts of Vietnam.

The proportion of geriatric depression recorded in Vietnam was 66.9%. Depression in older people is a risk factor for problems related to dementia, poor quality of life, and suicide. To have a good Vietnamese questionnaire for assessing geriatric depression, we conducted the study to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Geriatric Depression Scale—long-form with 30 items (GDS-30). The study has two steps. Step 1 is a translation of the GDS-30 scale. We followed the guideline by Beaton et al., (2000 & 2007). Firstly, two translators (informed and uninformed) translated the questionnaires. Secondly, the translations were synthesized. Thirdly, back translation was performed by two translators fluent in both Vietnamese and English but completely unknown of the original version of the scale and did not have medical expertise. Finally, seven experts reached a consensus on the pre-final Vietnamese version (GDS-30). Step 2 is a field test of the questionnaires on people 60 years or older. Then, we determined the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the questionnaire in 55 Vietnamese inpatients in a geriatric department. Construct validity was determined by examining the relationship between depressive scores and patient characteristics. The Vietnamese version of GDS-30 was built with the agreement of all experts on the semantic, idiomatic, experiential, and conceptual equivalences between the original and pre-final Vietnamese versions of the GDS-30. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value was 0.928, indicating the items’ adequate internal consistency. Spearman’s correlation coefficient value of total scores between the first and second interviews showed medium correlation (0.479, p < 0.001), and the stability is acceptable. The GDS-30 scale reached the construct validity because the proportion of geriatric depression according to GDS-30 was significantly different between characteristics groups, such as gender, employment, level of education, economic status, and sleep disturbance. The Vietnamese version of the GDS-30 scale had high consistency, satisfactory reliability, and understanding and can be used as a screening tool for depression in elderly patients in primary healthcare centers. This is the first depression rating scale for the elderly in Vietnam to be translated and validated. Non-psychiatric health professionals or patients can quickly self-assess and screen for the illness.

In Vietnam, the mental health care infrastructure is on the verge of transformation with an increase in the demand for access to adequate and effective mental health care services. Public attitudes towards mental illness, as well as corresponding treatment options influence help-seeking behaviors of patients and caregivers, affecting the course of their treatment. This study assesses attitudes towards treatment options for depression and schizophrenia, as the two most common psychiatric disorders in Vietnam, accounting for at least 75% of all psychiatric inpatients. A general population-based survey was conducted in Hanoi, Vietnam between April and August 2013. Participants received a description of a person with symptoms of either depression (n = 326) or schizophrenia (n = 403) and were asked to give recommendations for adequate sources of mental health support and treatment options. Multiple analyses on a single item level compared the likelihood of recommendation between schizophrenia and depression. Overall, respondents recommended health care services, ranging from seeking mental health care professionals, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists for both disorders. Psychotherapy was the most favored treatment method, whereas further treatment options, such as concentration and relaxation exercises, meditation or yoga and psychotropic medication were also endorsed as helpful. For the schizophrenia vignette condition, psychotherapy, visiting a psychiatrist or psychotherapist received stronger endorsement rates as compared to the depression vignette. Furthermore, ECT, Feng Shui-based practices, praying and visiting natural healers were recommended less by respondents for the depression vignette in comparison with the schizophrenia vignette. The Vietnamese public endorsed evidence-based treatment recommendations from a variety of treatments options. Differences in the treatment recommendations between depression and schizophrenia reflected the perceived severity of each disorder. Further developments of the Vietnamese mental health care system concerning mental health care providers, as well as the legal regulations surrounding the provision of psychotherapy are needed.

Background: Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have higher rates of suicidal ideation and a higher suicide attempt prevalence than patients with other types of depression. Purpose: This study was designed to study the suicidality trajectory and relationships between hopelessness, resilient coping, and self-efficacy, respectively, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in patients with TRD during hospitalization and at 3 months after discharge. Methods: A longitudinal survey of 53 psychiatric inpatients with TRD was conducted. Suicidality, hopelessness, resilient coping, self-reported medication adherence, and self-efficacy were assessed at Weeks 1 and 2 (T0 and T1) after hospitalization and Week 1 and Months 1 and 3 after discharge. Data were analyzed using a Cox regression model. Results: Suicidality varied across the five time points, with a downward trend observed between T0 and T1 (reflecting the initial effects of inpatient treatment) and an upward trend observed across the 3-month follow-up. Antidepressant overdose was the most common method used for suicide. The risk of high suicidal ideation during follow-up was 1.63, 2.63, and 1.14 times higher, respectively, in participants with a high level of hopelessness, low level of resilient coping, and low self-efficacy. Also, having a higher level of hopelessness and being younger in age increased the risk of attempting suicide by 3.07 times and over 6 times, respectively, compared to older participants. Conclusions/Implication for Practice: Suicidality was shown to fluctuate between the in-hospital treatment phase and the first 3 months following discharge in this sample of patients with TRD. Younger age, feelings of hopelessness, low resilience, and low self-efficacy were the top four factors contributing to postdischarge suicide risk. These findings highlight the need for regular patient monitoring and assessment to identify those with TRD who are at high risk of suicide as well as the importance of focusing on hopelessness, resilience, and self-efficacy as predictors of suicide ideation and attempts. Nurses should help patients with TRD, especially those who are younger, and improve and maintain their hope, resilience, and self-efficacy both during hospitalization and shortly after discharge.