Parenting and student well-being focus on mental health and education costs

As the new school year begins, experts and parents are focusing on the mental health and financial stability required to support children's development.

Regarding mental health, research from UNICEF Vietnam and the OECD highlights significant academic pressure. Approximately 65% of 15-year-olds in OECD countries worry about math grades, and about one in five Vietnamese adolescents face mental health challenges. Experts suggest parents shift focus from comparing children to others toward celebrating individual progress and process-oriented achievements to reduce anxiety.

On the practical side, families are navigating the rising costs of education. One case study illustrates the financial planning required for a middle-income family to support a child through university, estimating costs of 450–500 million VND over four years. Additionally, parenting advice emphasizes the importance of fostering independence, warning that over-providing for children can hinder their ability to face real-world difficulties.