VMHWA — Viet Mental Health Workers in Australia

About Us

Strengthening confident, sustainable transitions into the sector

Viet Mental Health Workers in Australia (VMHWA) is a community-led initiative supporting Vietnamese students, emerging practitioners, and early-career professionals navigating study, work, and career pathways in mental health and community services in Australia.

We focus on strengthening culturally responsive knowledge, professional identity, and community connection — so that transitions into the sector feel more confident, supported, and sustainable.

Where community insight meets mental health systems

We bring together lived experience, cultural knowledge, and professional practice to build pathways that genuinely fit the people who walk them.

Why We Exist

Vision & Mission

Vision

A culturally responsive mental health ecosystem where Vietnamese and culturally diverse communities are empowered to navigate systems, build meaningful careers, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable care.

Mission

VMHWA connects community insight with mental health systems by creating culturally relevant spaces, programs, and pathways that strengthen wellbeing literacy, professional identity, and career development for Vietnamese emerging practitioners in Australia.

Core Values

What guides our work

Lived Experience

We value lived experience as a form of expertise that informs how programs are designed, delivered, and improved — ensuring community voices not only are heard, but actively shape solutions.

Cultural Responsiveness

We centre cultural context, identity, and language in all our work — recognising that effective mental health support must be relevant, accessible, and grounded in the realities of the communities we serve.

Bridging Community & Systems

We act as a connector between communities and mental health systems — translating knowledge, creating access, and fostering collaboration to reduce gaps in understanding and support.

Who We Support

Support across every stage of the journey

From the first steps into study through to growing into the sector — we walk alongside the community at each transition.

01

Students

Vietnamese students exploring study and orientation in mental health and community services, finding their footing in a new system.

02

Emerging Practitioners

Those entering practice and building professional identity, navigating placements, registration, and the realities of the workforce.

03

Early-Career Professionals

Practitioners progressing further along their path, deepening their careers and contributing back to a culturally responsive sector.

Activities & Development Focus

What we do

VMHWA is currently in a capacity-building and program development phase — strengthening our foundation to deliver structured, culturally responsive, and sustainable community initiatives.

Facilitating discussions and knowledge sharing within the VMHWA online community, keeping members connected and informed.

Developing practical, culturally relevant guidance to support Vietnamese community members in navigating the Australian health and social support systems.

Supporting the development and delivery of community-facing activities, including practitioner-led conversations, knowledge sharing, and community Q&A.

Designing future initiatives focused on wellbeing education, career pathway support, and culturally responsive mental health knowledge for Vietnamese students and emerging practitioners.

Community Engagement

A growing, active community across Australia

0

Public community group

Members exploring, connecting, and learning together

0

Private professional support group

Practitioners and professionals supporting one another

Efforts are currently underway to consolidate both groups into a single integrated community space — strengthening engagement, improving accessibility, and supporting more coordinated program delivery.

The Year Ahead

Our next 12-month goals

Deliver a culturally responsive wellbeing education program and webinars.

Provide accessible mental health & system navigation resources for the Vietnamese community.

Establish bi-monthly community engagement initiatives.

Strengthen contributor capacity and partnerships to support scalable, community-informed program delivery.

Core Team

The people behind VMHWA

EN

Evelyn Nguyen

Founder

Evelyn is a senior social worker and mental health social worker specialising in Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) counselling, trauma recovery, and therapy for complex mental-health issues.

TP

Tram Pham

Community Contributor

Tram is a Social Work undergraduate at RMIT University. She brings several years of experience across business roles and volunteering with diverse communities in both Vietnam and Australia.

CN

Chau Nguyen

Community Contributor

A University of Sydney graduate and former UX/UI designer, Chau has since pivoted into professional coaching. An ICF ACC-credentialed coach, she focuses her practice on wellbeing and mindfulness.

HN

Hana Nguyen

Community Contributor

Based in Sydney, Hana is currently completing a Master of Social Work. She is passionate about mental health awareness and supporting migrant communities as they find connection and belonging in Australia.

B

Huy Truong Nguyen (Ben)

Community Contributor

Ben is studying a Bachelor of Human Services, with experience across community and aged care settings through volunteering, paid work, and placements. He's passionate about mental health awareness and helping the Vietnamese community access the resources they need.

L

Nam Phuong Dang (Lee)

Community Contributor

Lee is a Monash graduate in Digital Humanities, currently completing a degree in Psychology. Building leadership and teamwork skills in her current role, she's driven by a vision of safe spaces where people can seek help and freely be themselves.

Get Involved

Join a community walking the journey together

Whether you're a student finding your footing, a practitioner building your career, or someone who wants to support the work — we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch vmhwa.info@gmail.com