The Rising Trend of Self-Healing Among Vietnamese Youth: Impacts on Companies and Workers

In recent years, the concept of "healing" has gained significant traction among the youth in Vietnam, reflecting a broader societal shift towards prioritising mental health and emotional well-being. This trend, while offering many benefits, also presents challenges for companies and workers in the country.

The Healing Phenomenon

The rise in popularity of healing activities such as meditation, sound therapy, and travel among Vietnamese youth can be attributed to the pressures of modern life, including work stress and personal issues. Young professionals like Anh Ngoc and Van Lam are increasingly turning to these methods to cope with their emotional distress. According to TikTok data, the hashtags "chualanh" (healing in Vietnamese) and "healing" have garnered over 2 billion and 60 billion views, respectively, highlighting the widespread interest in these practices.

The Mental Health Landscape in Vietnam

Statistics reveal a growing mental health crisis in Vietnam. Nearly 15% of the population, approximately 15 million people, suffer from mental disorders, with depression and anxiety affecting 5.4% of the population. The number of young people seeking medical help for stress and anxiety has surged by 15-25% over the past year, indicating an increasing openness towards addressing mental health issues.

The Double-Edged Sword

While the emphasis on mental health is a positive development, the trend towards healing has complex implications for the workplace. Many young people, like Ngoc and Lam, are willing to spend significant amounts of money and time on healing activities, often at the expense of their professional responsibilities. For instance, Ngoc admitted to being in debt due to her healing expenses despite earning a relatively high salary.

Impacts on Companies

• Reduced Productivity: Frequent absences and decreased focus among employees engaged in extensive healing activities can lead to reduced productivity. Companies may find it challenging to maintain workflow continuity and meet project deadlines.

• Increased Turnover: The tendency to prioritize personal well-being over professional commitments can result in higher turnover rates. Employees like Phuong Ly, who focus on healing after personal setbacks, may decide to leave their jobs, seeking environments that better support their mental health needs.

• Workplace Culture: While supporting mental health is crucial, an overemphasis on healing can lead to perceptions of unfairness among employees who cover for their absent colleagues. This can affect team morale and overall workplace culture.

Impacts on Workers

• Financial Strain: Many young workers are spending large sums on healing activities, which can lead to financial instability. Ngoc, for example, incurs substantial debt to fund her healing journeys, impacting her financial health.
• Career Progression: Taking extended breaks or neglecting work for healing activities can hinder career advancement. Employees might find themselves reprimanded or overlooked for promotions, as seen in Ngoc’s experience.
• Mental Health Outcomes: Not all healing methods yield positive results. Some individuals report feeling more anxious or depressed after returning from healing activities, as the root causes of their issues remain unaddressed.

Balancing Healing and Professional Life

To mitigate the negative impacts, companies can adopt several strategies:

• Mental Health Support: Providing access to professional mental health services, such as counselling and therapy, can offer employees effective ways to manage stress without compromising their work responsibilities.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Offering flexible work hours or remote work options can help employees balance their professional and personal lives, reducing the need for extended absences.

• Promoting Resilience: Encouraging activities that build resilience and coping skills can help employees handle stress better. Workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence can be beneficial.

• Creating a Supportive Environment: Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture where employees feel valued and understood can reduce the need for drastic healing measures. Regular check-ins and a supportive management approach can make a significant difference. The company should have strategies to prevent a toxic workplace. 

Conclusion

The healing trend among Vietnamese youth reflects a critical shift towards valuing mental health, but it also brings challenges that both companies and workers must navigate. By promoting a balanced approach to mental well-being and professional responsibilities, companies can support their employees' mental health while maintaining productivity and morale.

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Reference Links:

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/trend/youths-focus-on-healing-a-double-edged-sword-4740104.html

https://vietnamnews.vn/talk-around-town/1655743/reevaluating-healing-the-trend-the-impact-and-the-misuse.html

https://www.vietnam.vn/en/vi-sao-nguoi-tre-hay-di-chua-lanh/

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/trend/vietnamese-youth-seek-healing-to-overcome-anxiety-4662202.html