EOI: Awareness campaign on mental health and psychosocial support for healthcare workers

BACKGROUND

FHI 360 is an international non-governmental organization that, in Vietnam, promotes the health and well-being of the Vietnamese people, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations. It works with the Vietnam Ministry of Health and other national bodies, as well as provincial and district-level health services to achieve project aims. FHI 360 is currently implementing programs to address HIV and TB prevention, testing, and treatment; combatting trafficking in persons; COVID-19; anti-microbial resistance; health system strengthening; non-communicable diseases; maternal and child health and nutrition; and diagnostic and laboratory services. To learn more, please visit www.fhi360.org.

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a global project focused on HIV, global health security, and combatting trafficking in persons using funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the United States Agency for International Development. EpiC Vietnam’s goal is to deliver efficient, affordable, results-based technical assistance and direct services while closing the remaining gaps in Vietnam’s efforts to achieve HIV epidemic control, address emerging disease threats, and combat trafficking in persons in Vietnam. This work includes support for caregivers, including addressing their mental health and psychosocial support needs.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, face significant challenges related to vicarious trauma and workplace stress. In an effort to comprehend the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of HCWs following the COVID-19 pandemic, EpiC has been conducting a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey regarding MHPSS. The initial findings include:

• A significant number of HCWs experiencing symptoms suggestive of stress, anxiety, and depression.
• HCWs have significant knowledge gaps about MHPSS, including both how it manifests and available services
• Barriers to accessing MHPSS services include concerns about medical record documentation, uncertainty about where to seek support, and fear of interpersonal disclosure.
• HCW attitudes towards mental disorders, psychotherapy, and expectations of MHPSS services indicated a need for normalization and increased uptake.

The HCMC Department of Health (HDOH) oversees 79 public hospitals and health centers a staff of more than 60,000 HCWs. EpiC and the HDOH are seeking a vendor that can provide a cost-effective campaign to address key objectives (outlined below), and serve as a the basis of longer-term efforts to meet the needs of this population.

SCOPE OF WORK: see more details in attached file.

Method of Submittal: Respond via e-mail to [email protected] by February 23, 2024