TOPIC 3: MENTAL HEALTH

(Quynh)
Question 1: Why young people today are facing more mental health problems?
1. The development of social media
2. Peer pressure + heavy workload + career expectation
a. Peer pressure
- Social media provides a platform for users to showcase their achievements. Consequently,
when students and their friends attain success, young individuals often find themselves
susceptible to peer pressure, grappling with a sense of inadequacy. Surrounded by
numerous outstanding peers, they may experience heightened anxiety, leading to a decline
in self-esteem and an increased burden of stress. As a result, the pressure intensifies when
they head to school, hindering their ability to relish the learning process. This, in turn,
adversely affects their understanding of knowledge and academic performance.
 Example: I feel fortunate to have friends at university who are highly competent and have
all secured scholarships, whereas I have not. This discrepancy has left me feeling stressed,
leading to numerous instances of tears and a pervasive sense of embarrassment. Despite
putting in considerable effort to cram for exams, I struggle to truly comprehend the material,
resulting in scores that don't reflect a high level of achievement.
b. Heavy workload
- Many university students aspire to attain greater independence, seeking the freedom to
meet their basic needs and indulge in experiences and entertainment. This desire often
motivates them to pursue both work and studies simultaneously. However, the constraints of
limited time prevent them from effectively managing the dual responsibilities of earning
substantial income and achieving high academic scores simultaneously. Consequently, they
find themselves juggling numerous tasks daily, attempting to meet deadlines, which
ultimately results in insufficient sleep and an unhealthy diet. These factors, compounded by
the relentless pursuit of multiple commitments, become primary contributors to heightened
stress levels among university students.
 Example: I am currently studying at Hanu University, renowned for its reputation as the
land of deadlines. The demanding nature of our subjects, coupled with challenging exams,
adds an extra layer of pressure. Compounding this academic load, I find myself juggling two
jobs simultaneously, a situation that contributes significantly to my elevated stress levels.
Balancing these commitments often leads me to stay up until 3 am, only to start my first
lesson at 7 am. In the pursuit of efficiency, I resort to fast food over healthier options, which,
in turn, leaves me discontent with my current lifestyle. The struggle to manage time
effectively and maintain a healthy routine has become a defining aspect of my university
experience.
c. Career Expectation
- Family pressure: Indeed, the universal desire of parents to see their children have a bright
future is deeply rooted. However, the well-intentioned nature of these aspirations can
inadvertently create pressure when high expectations are set without a thorough
understanding of the child's wishes and skills. This dynamic is particularly evident among
university students who, despite harboring unique talents and interests, may find their
pursuits hindered by parental expectations. Regrettably, some students encounter rejection
from their parents, preventing them from exploring and developing their true passions. This
restriction can stifle personal growth and hinder the realization of individual potential. Striking
a balance between parental expectations and allowing space for a child's self-discovery is
crucial for fostering a supportive environment where talents can flourish, ultimately
contributing to a more fulfilling and well-rounded future.
 Ex: It's not uncommon for some students at Hanu University to choose this institution
based on parental guidance emphasizing the potential for well-paid jobs post-graduation,
rather than a genuine passion for languages. This underscores the prevalent influence that
parental expectations and societal perceptions of success can have on academic and career
decisions.
- Loss of orientation: In the face of a high unemployment rate, many students experience a
sense of disorientation regarding their future careers. The prevailing fear of investing time
and effort into studying a specific major without the guarantee of success contributes to a
pervasive sense of uncertainty. This uncertainty, in turn, leads to overthinking and,
unfortunately, can deter some students from persisting in their academic pursuits until
completion.
 Ex: At Hanu, students from the English Department often find themselves working outside
their true major, such as becoming interpreters or translators. Instead, they frequently end up
in Human Resources (HR) roles. This divergence between academic specialization and
professional practice highlights the evolving nature of career paths in a dynamic job market.
Question 2: What are some solutions?
1. Using social media moderately/ consuming information/content selectively.
2. Seeing therapists
3. Self-therapy
4. Removing toxic positivity
Ways to avoid toxic positivity: If you recognize toxically positive behaviors in yourself or
others, there are things that you can do to develop a healthier, more supportive approach.
Some ideas include:
Develop an attitude that "it's okay to not be okay.": When facing a difficult situation, it’s
normal to feel stressed, worried, or even fearful. Don’t expect too much from yourself.
Practice self-care and work on taking steps that can help improve your situation. (Cherry,
2023)
Manage your negative emotions, but don't deny them: Every emotion is inviting us to
attend to something. So when uncomfortable emotions rise up, sit quietly and get really
present to where those emotions are sitting in your body. Your chest? Your back or belly?
Notice them. Label them. Is it disappointment, hurt, anxiety, overwhelm, resentment, or
envy? As you do, ask yourself, what here needs my attention? (Cherry, 2023)
Focus on listening to others and showing support: (Cherry, 2023) When someone
expresses a difficult emotion, don’t shut them down with toxic positivity. Instead, let them
know that what they are feeling is normal and you are there to listen. Examples:
- I'm listening.
- I'm here no matter what.
- That must be really hard.
- Sometimes bad things happen. How can I help?
Consider limiting social media use: Unplugging and staying off of social media for a period
of time can help you avoid comparing yourself to others, who may be acting happy when
they aren’t in fact feeling this way. (Cherry, 2023)
Put your feelings into words: When going through something hard, think about ways to
give voice to your emotions in a productive way. Write in a journal or talk to a friend.
Research suggests that just putting what you are feeling into words can help lower the
intensity of negative feelings. (Cherry, 2023)
5. Doing exercises

TOPIC 4: CULTURE
Question 1: Advantages and disadvantages of Cultural integration/exchange?
I. Advantages
1. Learn about other cultures  broaden knowledge
2. Improves familiarity and tolerance, and so reduces ignorance, fear, and hostility.
- Increased Understanding: Cultural exchange exposes individuals to different ways of life,
traditions, customs, and values. This firsthand experience fosters a deeper understanding of
the diversity that exists in the world. As people learn more about each other's backgrounds,
they become more knowledgeable and empathetic.
 Ex: We showcase fireworks, originating from China, every midnight during the Lunar New
Year. This has become a highly anticipated tradition for all Vietnamese people, evolving into
a cultural asthetics.
- Exposure to different cultures promotes adaptability and flexibility. Individuals learn to
navigate unfamiliar situations and environments, developing resilience and a willingness to
embrace change. This adaptability is valuable for fostering a more tolerant and inclusive
society.
 Ex: An increasing number of Western restaurants are opening in Vietnam, attracting a
growing clientele, signaling a gradual acceptance of Western cuisine among the Vietnamese
people.
II. Disadvantages
- Unbalanced representation: When people are exposed to foreign cultures, they may only
focus on certain aspects of the culture, leading to an incomplete or distorted understanding.
This can lead to stereotypes and prejudices that can harm intercultural relationships. This
problem is especially exacerbated when people interact with cultures for the purpose of
tourism or commercial gain, rather than out of genuine interest in learning.
 Ex: In terms of marriage, the noble tradition of the ethnic group places a high value on the
modesty of women, where emotions go hand in hand with principles. While feelings may
fade, the commitment remains strong. However, in the present time, the younger generation
is embracing trends like "trial living" (sống thử)
 Ex 2: One notable example is the "Free Hugs" movement, known as "Vòng tay yêu
thương" when it reached Vietnam. Participants in this movement hug anyone on the street
with the hope that these embraces bring people closer, fostering understanding and sharing.
The concept of this trend is quite commendable, but it is based on the cultural environment of
the Western world, where hugging is a common form of communication. In Vietnam, where
the cultural environment lacks this form of social interaction through hugs, the movement can
be perceived as inappropriate and potentially exploitative. Moreover, in Vietnamese culture,
hugs are traditionally reserved for expressing intimate emotions, typically shared between
close family members or romantic partners. Therefore, individuals standing on the streets
demanding hugs may create a negative impression and be seen as intrusive in the eyes of
the public.
- The erosion of original cultural values: The erosion of cultural values frequently precipitates
a shift towards the adoption of new norms and practices, potentially resulting in the loss of
identity and uniqueness within a community or society. Over time, esteemed values diminish,
leading to a dearth of cultural information for the next generation. This can, in turn, contribute
to a decline in the nation's strength.
 Ex: The Bố Y people in Lào Cai, Vietnam, no longer remember their native language and
have shifted to speaking Quan hỏa, which is a Southern Han Chinese dialect. Similarly, the
Cờ Lao Đỏ community in Hà Giang has lost their native language, and the Thủy ethnic group
has assimilated into the Pà Thèn ethnic group. The Ơ Đu ethnic group, with only a few
individuals remaining who can speak their native language, has largely adopted the Thổ
language.