A new study has revealed that 15 percent of the Vietnamese population, or approximately 13.5 million people, suffer from common mental illnesses, state media reports.

The study conducted by the Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social affairs showed that some 200,000 Vietnamese people suffer from severe mental illnesses, of whom around 98 per cent cannot take care of themselves.

Of those, 37 per cent are yet to receive medication for treatment.

The ministry said about 18 per cent of families of people with severe mental illnesses reportedly face discrimination from the community.

As such, the ministry is aiming to roll out awareness programs to combat discrimination.

Vietnam has 45 social protection centres nationwide, that offer care for mental disorders.

The ministry cites a shortage of facilities and trained staff as a challenge, and says it is working to provide services for 90 per cent of people with severe mental illnesses by 2020.

– TiVi Tuan-san