THE HIDDEN EPIDEMIC

With a high rate of mental health issues amongst youth, experts shared new policy approaches to tackle stigma at a forum

- STORY: SUWITCHA CHAIYONG

Surveys conducted between Jan 1, 2020, and Feb 20 this year by the Department of Mental Health revealed that over 6 million Thai people suffer from mental health issues.

Of these, 560,000 or 9.1% are at risk of depression, while 480,000 or 7.9% face high stress, and 310,000 or 5.2% are at risk of suicide.

People aged 20 to 29 are at high risk in all areas-29.5% at risk of depression, 26.2% at risk of stress and 17.5% at risk of suicide. In 2024, the survey discovered that over 5,000 Thai people committed suicide and it is estimated that there are 1.3 million people aged 15 and over with depression.

Due to the high rate of mental health issues and suicide incidents in shopping malls, mental health is a serious issue. To raise awareness, Sati, a mental health service application, collaborated with Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and many private sectors to hold the event "Better Mind Better Bangkok 2025" at Samyan Mitrtown last month.

The event provided information regarding activities that can increase energy, self-compassion, acceptance and gratitude. The information, shared on Oct 4, revealed that the Sati app has 64,297 users and the app took 33,744 calls. The average duration of a call was 18 minutes and six seconds. Users stated that their negative feelings and thought of self-harm decreased after the call.

In addition to activities at the event, there were also other forums including "Possibility: Dare To Dream Of Mental Health Policies That Address The Needs Of Urban Society".

Dr Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, a psychiatrist and spokesperson with the Ministry of Public Health, kicked off the forum by answering the question, is it possible to dream of mental health policies that address the needs of urban society?