Psychological Counseling Room: When School Becomes Place of Healing

	Workshop on Enhancing the Effectiveness of School Social Work and Psychological Counseling
	Training Workshop on Implementing Social Work and Psychological Counseling in Educational Institutions

Journey to rediscovering oneself

Trieu Van Trung, a 9th-grade student at Cam Con Primary and Secondary School in Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province, was once a name that made teachers and classmates shake their heads in dismay. The image most associated with Trung was his tired, glazed eyes and his head perpetually resting on the desk during lessons. He never seemed to pay attention in class or take notes seriously.

Trieu Van Trung sought support from the school’s Psychological Counseling Room and received guidance and counseling from Tuyet Mai. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Trung, 2022 was the year he got completely lost in the virtual world of online gaming. Night after night, he stayed up playing games, leading to a downward spiral—constantly arriving late to school, neglecting homework, and dozing off in class. His academic performance plummeted. Friends began to distance themselves, and repeated warnings from teachers had little effect. The more they scolded him, the more Trung withdrew, eventually losing connection with everyone around him.

Things only began to change when Trung was introduced to the school’s Psychological Counseling Room. He stepped in with fear and anxiety, worried that what he shared might be judged, rejected, or worse—exposed to everyone. However, from the very first moments in that quiet, private space, the warmth and attentiveness of Tuyet Mai, a teacher and psychological counselor at the school, gradually helped him open up.

“When I talked to Mai, I felt truly heard, understood, and respected. She didn’t criticize me. Instead, she gently explained how excessive gaming was robbing me of important things—my time, mental clarity, friendships, and even life goals. She encouraged me and offered practical solutions to help me change and focus more on my studies,” Trung recalled.

To Trung, Mai was more than just someone who helped him recognize his problems—she walked beside him every step of the way. He was given small responsibilities like tending the school’s vegetable garden, checking the common areas, and helping take attendance during meals. At first, he treated the tasks like chores, doing them just because he was told to. But over time, he began to understand their value and take pride in fulfilling them.

The encouragement from teachers and the unexpected compliments from classmates as he improved gradually helped Trung rediscover himself. For the first time in months, he felt trusted and appreciated. Bit by bit, he changed—studying more diligently, actively joining group activities, and becoming more open with his peers.

Small corner bringing big change

“Trung used to be a student with poor self-awareness, and many teachers believed he couldn’t change. But now, over a year later, he has become a model student who earns the trust and affection of both teachers and friends. That’s the success of our school’s Psychological Counseling Room,” said Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, a literature teacher at Cam Con Primary and Secondary School.

Trieu Van Trung (third from left) is now more sociable and well-liked by both teachers and classmates. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The counseling room was established in July 2022 with support from Save the Children. In addition to providing equipment and facilities, the organization also conducted training sessions for teachers and core student groups on how to identify and support peers facing psychological difficulties. Teachers received intensive training on skills such as active listening, empathy, feedback, and counseling planning.

“Before, students were often scared and hesitant to talk to teachers,” Mai shared. “But after the training, we learned how to truly listen first, then gently ask the right questions to understand the root causes. Most importantly, we help students find their own way forward. Many have opened up, even sharing deeply personal stories, because they trust that everything they say will remain confidential.”

To date, the Psychological Counseling Room has received and supported 24 students. Each case is provided with a tailored support plan that suits their individual circumstances. Teachers closely monitor progress and stay with students throughout the process. All personal records and information are strictly kept confidential, building trust and a sense of security among both students and their families. Thanks to this approach, many students have made positive changes—not just emotionally, but also in their academic and personal development.

The counseling room is still actively operating with staff available during all school hours, ready to support students whenever needed. Save the Children has also launched various awareness campaigns and supported initiatives like peer-led group activities, school dialogues, and communications projects to raise mental health awareness among students. Mai hopes these models and activities will be expanded to schools nationwide, providing meaningful companionship to students on their journey of growth and maturity.

The Psychological Counseling Room supports initiatives for peer group activities, communication, and dialogue led by core student groups. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Dinh Thi Nhuan, technical advisor for Health and Nutrition at Save the Children, mental health among children and adolescents in Vietnam is becoming an increasingly alarming issue. Recent studies have shown many suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and even suicidal thoughts. To address this, Save the Children has rolled out hundreds of creative media activities to raise mental health awareness among teachers, students, parents, and the wider community, while also helping reduce the stigma surrounding this issue.

Since 2013, with Save the Children’s support, 84 child-friendly psychological counseling rooms have been established and maintained in schools across the country. These rooms not only provide immediate psychological support but also refer students who need further treatment to specialized facilities.

A unique aspect of Save the Children’s approach is emphasizing youth participation in setting up these spaces. From arranging furniture to decorating and organizing bookshelves, students are encouraged to contribute their ideas, creating warm, friendly, and private environments where they feel safe and comfortable to share. The counselors’ professionalism, empathy, and the school’s commitment to walk with the students foster an even greater sense of trust.

“Helping schools build Psychological Counseling Rooms is part of Save the Children’s broader effort to contribute to the Ministry of Education and Training’s vision of creating happy schools. We hope this model will earn the trust of students and inspire them to study harder and grow into their best selves,” Dinh Thi Nhuan said.

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