Vietnamese Professor Develops International Mental Health Network Between Germany and Vietnam

Initially focused on providing mental healthcare in Vietnamese, Professor Tam and her team have gradually established a treatment network that links research in psychiatry and psychotherapy with medical training institutions in Vietnam. In recognition of her efforts, the German foreign information portal Deutschland.de featured her in an article titled "A doctor without borders."

Over nearly 16 years, her work has evolved from direct treatment to encompass psychological counseling, digital therapy, artificial intelligence (AI), and efforts aimed at reducing stigma while supporting mental health professionals. After arriving in Germany in 2006 to study the healthcare system for her doctoral dissertation, she aimed to enhance mental healthcare in Vietnam.

In 2010, following two years of preparation, the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Charite Berlin University Hospital launched a specialized outpatient clinic for Vietnamese immigrants. This clinic, the first of its kind in Germany, provides diagnoses, counseling, and treatment in Vietnamese for those with limited language proficiency or hesitance to access the local medical system, while also considering cultural differences.

Professor Tam’s endeavors have increasingly focused on researching the impacts of migration, culture, and integration on mental health. In April 2024, her contributions were highlighted in Deutschland.de as part of a series showcasing individuals fostering connections between Germany and the world.

According to a profile from Charite Berlin University Hospital published in October 2025, Professor Tam is a senior physician specializing in psychiatry and psychotherapy, with specific focuses on women's mental health, gender-sensitive care, maternal mental health, and global mental health. She has been recognized as the first Vietnamese professor in this field in Germany and serves as an Honorary Professor of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Hanoi Medical University.

On May 28, she led a scientific workshop on women's mental health, which addressed perinatal care, preventative measures, and the application of research findings. This workshop was part of a collaboration between Charite Berlin University Hospital and the National University of Singapore.

Additionally, a study co-authored by Professor Tam, published in the journal Scientific Reports (UK) on July 28, highlighted that mental health professionals from migration backgrounds reported higher levels of secondary traumatic stress and lower levels of compassion satisfaction than their counterparts without such backgrounds. However, there was no significant difference in terms of occupational burnout. The research indicates a need for a more inclusive work environment and enhanced social and professional support for individuals with a migration background.

In her international collaborations, Professor Tam emphasizes the importance of two-way engagement and long-term commitments among institutions and teams. Charite Berlin University Hospital noted ongoing partnerships with Vietnamese and German entities aimed at developing digital psychotherapy programs, AI-supported multilingual tools, and culturally adapted professional training.

From her clinic established in 2010 to her wider professional network, Professor Ta Thi Minh Tam has created bridges between Vietnam and Germany, enabling cooperation across diverse professional practices. Deutschland.de has described her as a "doctor without borders," highlighting the significant contributions of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals to their homeland's development through expertise and international connections.

By Hanh Chi - Translated by Anh Quan