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Three years ago, a young woman named Linh* was found lying outside the gate of Psychologist Vietnam’s clinic—disoriented, trembling, and wearing only her underwear. She had been a client of the clinic, but this time she arrived in a state of complete desperation, unable even to put her pain into words. Seeing her distress, Merijn brought her inside, gave her food and warmth, and patiently waited as she slowly opened up. She shared that she had just discovered her boyfriend—the only person she trusted after years of abuse from her own family—had been unfaithful. The betrayal was unbearable. She felt utterly isolated and abandoned by the very people she loved. Linh confessed to Merijn that she had been torn between jumping into the ocean and seeking refuge at the clinic. As she continued sharing, a darker part of her past came to light. Misunderstanding her struggles with mental health, her family had forced her to undergo painful “exorcism” rituals, believing she was possessed. They had even tied her down and burned parts of her body in an attempt to “free her from evil spirits.” Shaken and angered by her story, Merijn made it his mission to help Linh rebuild her life. He arranged regular counseling sessions for her at Psychologist Vietnam, where she began intensive therapy to process her trauma and rediscover her self-worth. Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and self-compassion exercises, Linh gradually learned to set boundaries, recognize healthy relationships, and rebuild her sense of identity. Over the following months, she not only recovered from the immediate heartbreak but also began healing the deep emotional scars left by years of abuse. Today, Linh lives in Saigon with a loving husband and two children. She continues to grow beyond her past, becoming a powerful symbol of resilience. Her healing journey also inspired Merijn to establish the suicide prevention hotline—creating a lifeline for people like Linh, who find themselves standing on the edge with nowhere else to turn.
Another story that motivated Merijn to establish the suicide prevention hotline involved a young man named Quang.* Exhausted and defeated, Quang reached out to Merijn after facing repeated barriers while trying to access mental health support in his hometown. Struggling with burnout and severe depression, Quang had gone to a local hospital hoping to receive counseling or therapy. Instead of offering immediate support, the doctors redirected him to private clinics where he would have to pay high fees. Disillusioned and feeling exploited by the very people who were supposed to help him, Quang found himself on the edge of giving up. Hearing Quang’s story, Merijn recognized the urgent need for accessible and compassionate mental health care in Vietnam. He invited Quang to Psychologist Vietnam, where Quang began his healing journey through a series of supportive therapy sessions. Through individual sessions focused on stress management, mindfulness, and building resilience, Quang gradually regained a sense of control over his life. Merijn also connected him with a local football team, encouraging him to rebuild social relationships and rediscover a sense of community and joy. Over time, Quang not only improved his mental health but also began to thrive in both his personal and professional life. He found a new job that valued his abilities and developed a supportive circle of friends through the football team. The transformation he experienced revealed a painful truth: people like Quang are being left behind by the current mental health system—one that is under-resourced and too often driven by profit rather than care. Merijn’s experience with Quang became another driving force behind the creation of the suicide prevention hotline, ensuring that anyone facing despair can access immediate, nonjudgmental support. Both stories highlight Merijn’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in Vietnam through Psychologist Vietnam and the suicide prevention hotline. By providing personalized therapy and a clear path toward recovery, Psychologist Vietnam has become a lifeline for those in distress—offering hope, compassion, and professional support to individuals who may have nowhere else to turn. *Names have been changed for privacy.
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