Research on policies to support children with mental health issues in Vietnam

Research on policies to support children with mental health issues in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this matter, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On March 20, 2024, the Minister of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs issued Decision 324/QD-BLDTBXH on the Implementation Plan of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs to implement Decision 1591/QD-TTg approving the Program for Mental Health Care for Children, care for orphaned children in the period of 2023–2030.

Research on policies to support children with mental health issues in Vietnam

Specifically, in the task of "reviewing, amending, and supplementing within the jurisdiction or making recommendations to competent agencies to amend, supplement the legal system and policies on mental health care for children and care for orphaned children," the Ministry of Labor - Invalids, and Social Affairs has proposed the following contents:

- Review, amend, and supplement laws and policies on mental health care for children, care, foster care, and substitute care for orphaned children:

+ Research, review, and issue legal normative documents and guidance documents related to mental health care for children, care for orphaned children.

+ Review, develop, and issue guidance documents on providing mental health care services for children, including care for orphaned children.

+ Research policies to assist children with mental health issues, especially children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

- Review, amend, and supplement policies, support procedures for orphaned children without caregivers, orphaned children with both parents being cared for, and priority for care at home by relatives, non-relatives, and foster parents; policies for transitioning substitute care services from residential care facilities to community-based care and family-based care.

In addition, the policies, care services, and foster care for orphaned children at residential care facilities and SOS Children's Villages will also be implemented by the Ministry of Labor - Invalids, and Social Affairs through the following contents:

- Review, research, and improve policies, care services, and foster care for orphaned children at residential care facilities.

- Review, research, and improve policies, care services, and foster care for orphaned children at SOS Children's Villages to ensure the rights of children.

When implementing these contents, relevant units must ensure the objectives and requirements:

- Organize the implementation of tasks, solutions of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids, and Social Affairs strictly, timely, synchronously, and effectively as assigned in the Program.

- Clearly define responsibilities, implementation progress, and specific assignment of tasks to each unit; effectively combine the tasks of the Program with the implementation of general tasks of the units.

- Coordinate closely, timely with relevant agencies, units in implementing contents, activities according to the assigned functions and tasks to effectively accomplish tasks, solutions regarding mental health care for children, care for orphaned children, aiming to achieve the objectives of the Program.

Funding for the implementation of Decision 1591/QD-TTg approving the Program for Mental Health Care for Children, care for orphaned children in the period of 2023–2030:

- Allocated in the annual state budget estimates according to current regulations.

- Integrated from the funding for the implementation of some related programs, projects approved by competent authorities.

- Other legal sources of funding, sponsorship, and mobilization (if available).

More details can be found in Decision 324/QD-BLDTBXH taking effect on March 20, 2024.

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