Instead of finding relief from stress, Minh Hang, 28, from Hanoi, found herself sinking deeper into depression after several "self-healing" trips.

Hang works as a communications officer for an education company. In mid-2025, a wave of layoffs led to a salary reduction, increased key performance indicators, and bonus cuts for her. The pressure of continuous deadlines and the threat of job loss left her constantly anxious.

"Hearing everyone say that stress requires 'healing,' I followed suit. My monthly salary was 12 million VND, but every month I was climbing mountains, traveling, and attending concerts," Hang shared.

However, she realized these "self-healing" activities did not alleviate her pressure. After each trip, it took her a week to recover physically. Seeking further solutions, she spent millions more on tarot readings, hoping to find answers on whether to "stay or leave the company." "After all that, I only accumulated more debt and felt more mentally exhausted," she said.

By early this year, Hang experienced prolonged insomnia. Fears and anxieties became more frequent. She cried uncontrollably whenever her superiors reprimanded her. After visiting a hospital, doctors diagnosed her with depression, specifically F32 – unipolar depressive disorder, characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in life, and a range of erratic psychological and physical symptoms.

Initially, she hid her condition from family and avoided medication, seeking a therapist independently. As her condition worsened, she had to take medication. The sedative side effects caused drowsiness, making it impossible for her to work. Hang decided to quit her job and move back to her hometown in Nghe An.

Minh Hang, 28, left Hanoi for her hometown in Nghe An due to the stressful life that led to her depression. Photo: Provided by subject

Similarly, Hanh Nguyen, 25, a sales employee at a company in Ho Chi Minh City, spent tens of millions of VND on meditation courses, singing bowl therapy, talking to strangers, and digital detox retreats in the mountains. "After each course, I would fall into a sense of loneliness, wanting to escape reality, and tended to spend more," Nguyen recounted.

Whenever she faced pressure, she would sleep excessively and self-harm when she failed to meet sales targets. In early May, as her symptoms intensified, Nguyen sought medical attention and was diagnosed with depression (F32).

Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that depression patients in Vietnam are getting younger, primarily concentrated in the 15-27 age group. A report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam noted that 20% of adolescents face mental health issues. The root of this situation is believed to stem from social pressure and living environments. A NielsenIQ survey on Gen Z lifestyles revealed that 65% of young people feel pressured to outperform their peers. Expectations from family, the workplace, and social media success standards create psychological pressure on youth.

Doctor Nguyen Viet Chung, Head of the Mental Health Department at E Hospital (Hanoi), stated that since early this year, the number of patients aged 18-25 seeking treatment for mental disorders has increased by over 50% compared to the same period in 2025.

Common conditions among young people currently include anxiety disorders, depression, adjustment disorders related to life events, prolonged insomnia, and panic disorders. Among these, anxiety and depression are the most prevalent.

Facing pressure, the trend of self-proclaimed "healing" has emerged and become popular among young people. Many choose to travel, rest, or seek inspiring content on social media to self-soothe. However, health experts assert that these are not remedies for actual medical conditions. "These activities can be helpful in reducing stress for healthy individuals, but they cannot replace treatment once a genuine mental disorder has appeared," Doctor Nguyen Viet Chung explained.

Experts advise that if symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest, excessive anxiety, prolonged insomnia lasting several weeks, and impaired work function occur, individuals should seek timely support from mental health professionals or psychologists.

According to Chung, most patients seek help at a late stage. "They mistakenly believe they are only experiencing temporary stress. This leads to missing the golden period for recovery," the doctor noted. Experts recommend that young people seek medical attention when symptoms of sadness, insomnia, and impaired work function persist for several weeks.

Nevertheless, this expert cautions that not everyone experiencing stress or pressure develops a mental illness. Seeking professional support should be viewed as proactive healthcare, not a sign of weakness. Additionally, young people need to build healthy lifestyles through adequate sleep, physical activity, maintaining real-world social interactions, and limiting reliance on social media.

Currently, Hanh Nguyen has increased her medication dosage as prescribed for treatment. Instead of oversleeping as before, she now exercises more and engages in social activities. Meanwhile, moving back to her hometown has helped Minh Hang stabilize her biological rhythm, despite a halved income. She shared that discussing her condition with her family has helped relieve her pressure.

"Self-healing is not bad, but it needs to be done correctly and scientifically," Hang concluded.

Nga Thanh