Financial pressure drives mental health struggles for breadwinners in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the intense pressure of being a primary breadwinner is leading to significant mental health challenges. Men facing the responsibility of supporting extended families, managing household expenses, and navigating economic instability are increasingly reporting symptoms of exhaustion and anxiety.

One case involves a 43-year-old business manager in Hanoi who sought treatment at Merak Psychiatric Clinic after experiencing insomnia and emotional exhaustion. Driven by the need to provide for his wife, three children, and elderly mother, he struggled to share his financial burdens, eventually facing a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and burnout syndrome. Similar pressures are noted among lower-income workers, such as drivers, who struggle to keep pace with the rising cost of living in the capital.