PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR DEPRESSION AMONG YOUTHS: A BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY APPROACH

Abstract

Depression among youths has become an escalating public health crisis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with empirical evidence indicating that 57.6 percent of high school students exhibit clinically significant depressive symptoms. This academic article pursues three objectives: (1) to analyze the current conditions and risk factors of youth depression, (2) to examine Buddhist psychological principles for addressing mental suffering, and (3) to propose an integrated model combining Buddhist psychology with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to promote youth mental well-being.

The analysis reveals that youth depression is a multidimensional phenomenon rooted in academic pressure, intergenerational communication gaps, digital social comparison, and loss of existential meaning. The Four Noble Truths function as a comprehensive diagnostic system, while the Noble Eightfold Path provides a multidimensional treatment protocol encompassing the domains of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. The core mechanisms of the integrated model include Right View paired with cognitive restructuring, Right Mindfulness paired with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, loving-kindness and compassion paired with compassion-focused therapy, and Right Action paired with behavioral activation.

The proposed model is distinguished by two characteristics: scientific universality supported by empirical evidence, and cultural congruence with Vietnamese Buddhist heritage. This integration establishes a pathway for developing responsive mental health systems across school, family, and community contexts. Ultimately, the model aims not to create morally perfect youth, but to empower young people to liberate themselves from cycles of unrealistic expectations, cultivate stable inner refuge, and foster sustainable well-being autonomously.