Abstract

Psychological counseling, as a form of school-based mental health services, plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being of students. However, there is limited knowledge about the state of school counseling programs in Vietnam. The objective of this study, which used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, was to examine the current practices, utilization rates, effectiveness, and obstacles faced in providing psychological counseling in Vietnamese schools. The research included a survey of 150 students and interviews conducted with 10 school counselors and administrators from five high schools in Ho Chi Minh City. The findings revealed that despite a high demand for counseling services among students, the utilization rates were alarmingly low. Several significant barriers were identified, including a shortage of school counselors, inadequate training for counselors, societal stigma associated with mental health issues, lack of private spaces for counseling sessions, and the absence of national standards for school-based services. The results emphasize the disparities between the current status of school counseling programs in Vietnam and international standards. Suggestions include the implementation of more extensive professional development for counselors, increasing the number of full-time counselors, establishing national guidelines for mental health services in schools, raising awareness through anti-stigma campaigns, and allocating more funds. Improving psychological counseling services in schools holds the potential to offer essential assistance for the mental health and overall well-being of Vietnamese students.

KEYWORDS:

School-based counseling; Mental health services; Vietnamese schools; Barriers; Student wellbeing.

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