Mental health disorders tend to escalate into a serious health problem among Vietnamese people these days.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Mental Health Hospital, the hospital has cared for 17,335 patients from May 1 to June 10 alone, with 34.3% seeking treatment for anxiety and stress disorders, 21.4% for depression, and 14.2% for schizophrenia.

Other common mental problems typical of the modern fast-paced life include acute mental disorder, mental and behavioral disorder from alcohol abuse, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobia and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).

The number of patients increases by 13.16% compared with the same period last year.

According to experts, the rising incidents of mental health problems may be partly put down to earlier diagnosis thanks to higher levels of education and readier access to medical care.

The hectic lifestyle, economic recession and even environmental and climatic conditions also make people more easily prone to stress and nervous breakdown, resulting in more hospital visits, particularly among relapsing patients.

The HCMC Pediatrics Hospital 1 recently started to issue certifications of limited integration and academic abilities to autistic and mentally-impaired kids to facilitate them in joining classes for able-bodied children.

Previously, kids under five years old suffering these mental problems had to attend specialized classes. With such certifications, they can learn according to their capacity without affecting their schools or classes’ overall achievements.

Dr. Hoang Duong said that the hospital’s Psychology Department now receives 30-40 kids every day. With the doctors spending some 30-45 minutes on each case, the department’s appointment list has been filled to this September.