"I just want someone to listen without judgment" - the topic of the DNU student group's first-prize winning scientific research project.

Drawing from the pressures, anxieties, and unspoken stories of their own generation of students, a group of students from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Dai Nam University conducted a research project on the psychological counseling needs of students. Their work not only won first prize at the University-level Student Scientific Research Conference in the 2025-2026 academic year but also opened up many reflections on the mental health of young people today.

The student team of Vu Duc Thang, Hoang Thi Thao, Nguyen Cao Cuong, and Hoang Mai Linh from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences excellently won first prize at the 2025-2026 University-level Student Scientific Research Conference.

The hidden pressures behind the lecture hall

The research idea didn't stem from distant academic issues, but rather from what the group of students observed and experienced in their daily lives. It depicted friends constantly stressed by academic pressure, students working part-time to make ends meet, along with anxieties about relationships, family, and vague worries about the future.

The group of students from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences made a strong impression on the judging panel with their project related to student psychology.

During the survey, the team found that many students were experiencing psychological difficulties but chose to remain silent and not share their problems. Many didn't know where to seek support, feared being judged, or simply believed that the pressures they were experiencing were normal and that they had to overcome them on their own.

It was these realities that motivated a group of students including Vu Duc Thang, Hoang Thi Thao, Nguyen Cao Cuong, and Hoang Mai Linh to undertake this research, with the desire to listen more clearly and understand more deeply what students truly need.

Behind every number is a true story.

The team's biggest challenge wasn't designing the survey or processing the data, but creating a safe environment where participants would be willing to share very private issues. This is because mental health remains a topic that many young people are still hesitant to discuss.

Throughout their research, the team received numerous stories revolving around academic pressure, financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, persistent loneliness, and uncertainty about the future.

At Dai Nam University, there are psychology experts from the Psychological Counseling Center who provide support and listen to students when they encounter psychological problems.

Some of the answers left a deep impression, unforgettable for the members, such as, "I just want someone to listen without judgment."

According to Nguyen Cao Cuong, it was these kinds of heartfelt messages that helped the group realize that scientific research is not just about data tables or statistical charts, but also a journey of listening to people and understanding the very real emotions behind them.

When mental health also needs attention.

Research findings reveal that today's students face multiple pressures simultaneously, including academics, finances, personal relationships, career aspirations, and balancing studies with part-time work. Notably, a large proportion of students need psychological support but have never sought professional counseling services, often choosing to confide in friends and family or suffer in silence.

According to Dr. Pham Thi Hong Phuong, Head of the Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, mental health should be recognized as an important component of higher education, because psychological difficulties not only affect emotions but also directly impact learning, relationships, and the personal growth of students.

The need for mental health care at Dai Nam University was addressed early on, providing a place where students can share their problems and pressures.

Recognizing this, Dai Nam University has established a Psychological Counseling Center to create a space where students can seek support, listen, and share their feelings when needed. In addition, the university regularly organizes programs on mental health, emotional management, and life balance, helping students proactively take care of themselves from an early age.

Winning first prize in scientific research is a proud achievement; however, for the group of students from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, the greater value lies in the fact that they learned to observe life with a scientific mindset, listen with empathy, and transform the concerns of their generation into a meaningful work for the community.