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Vu Binh Minh
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"Be Healthy - Be Happy" is a mental health initiative launched in 2022 at Tuoi Tre Newspaper to promote awareness of mental well-being, particularly among journalists. The program introduces key mental health concepts and practical self-care strategies for managing stress and workplace pressure. This initiative responds to research from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism indicating that around 70% of journalists are at risk of psychological trauma due to constant exposure to distressing content, information overload, and intense work-related stress. Despite this, mental health support for journalists in Vietnam remains limited.
Remain persistent and rational: seek objective data and insights, complement them with surveys, and ensure your initiatives address genuine needs and pain points.
During my work, I have come across many cases of individuals struggling with mental health issues due to stress. I’ve gone through similar experiences myself, which led me to explore the mental health challenges that journalists are particularly vulnerable to. Drawing on various studies - including research by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism indicating that 70% of journalists are at risk of mental health problems - I was inspired to launch a long-term initiative to promote mental well-being in the workplace at Tuoi Tre Newspaper.
Since its launch in 2022, the project has introduced regular internal dialogues and a dedicated relaxation space for journalists. In October 2024, it was expanded to include a large-scale wellness event titled "Toi vui khoe - Toi hanh phuc" (Be Healthy - Be Happy), which welcomed over 300 participants from the public sector and featured a wide range of activities aimed at promoting mental self-care.
Post-event surveys showed that 97.8% of attendees wanted more mental health support at work, while 96.4% expressed interest in learning how to better care for their mental well-being.
The greatest challenge was the lack of existing resources or programs tailored to journalists’ mental health. As a result, many were unfamiliar with the concept and even questioned the need or effectiveness of such initiatives. To address this, I stayed committed to the value of the work - not out of personal conviction alone, but based on real-life observations and evidence from credible research.
The skills I applied throughout the project stem from my time as a Master of International Business student at RMIT - something I’m truly grateful for. Staying connected with the RMIT network has also been a tremendous support. One of our guest speakers for the 2022 mental health talk, Ms. Luu Thanh Huyen - then Head of People & Organization Development cum HRBP at L’Oréal Vietnam and an RMIT alumna - joined us through this connection.
Now, as RMIT celebrates its 25th anniversary, I’m honored to share my story with the community once again. I hope it paves the way for future collaboration with fellow members of the RMIT network.