On November 30th, 2024, Vinh University of Technology Education (VUTED) successfully held the second Mental Health Calendar Event with the theme “Enhancing Mental Health for Lao Students” to commemorate the 49th National Day of Laos. The event, co-organized by the VUTED MentalHigh Project Team and the Student Affairs Office, attracted around 130 Lao students from VUTED and other universities in Vinh City, including Vinh University, Vinh Medical University, and Nghe An University of Economics.
The event opened with a presentation by a representative of the MentalHigh Project, emphasizing the importance of mental health. The session provided practical knowledge, helping students identify common issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, and equipping them with strategies for self-care and supporting their peers. Additionally, the project representative introduced two digital applications, Shining Mind and Moodcare, developed to support students in improving mental health awareness and management. This informative session was both valuable and engaging, fostering stronger connections and raising awareness of mental health within the student community.
The atmosphere grew livelier with interactive games and quizzes offering exciting prizes about mental health awareness amongst students. Students enthusiastically participated, creating a welcoming and joyful environment. During the tea break, attendees enjoyed sweets, fruits, traditional Lao rice wine, and the vibrant Lamvong dance. This cultural exchange provided a relaxing moment and strengthened the bonds between Vietnamese and Lao students.
At the end of the event, students evaluated the program through a QR code survey and shared overwhelmingly positive feedback. They expressed feeling relaxed, gaining useful knowledge, and finding the event meaningful for both their studies and personal lives. This highlighted the event’s significant impact on the student community.
As part of the MentalHigh Project funded by Erasmus+, the event reinforced the commitment to delivering meaningful activities that support students’ holistic 