Mental health issues are on the rise in Thailand, with the number of people seeking treatment expected to rise from 1.3 million in 2015 to 2.9 million by 2023, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
The number of Thais suffering from mental illness is reported to have reached 10 million, higher than the global average and indicating that many people are still not receiving treatment.
Based on Department of Mental Health data collected between Oct. 1, 2023 and April 22, 2024, the NESDC points out worrying trends.
Around 15.48% of the Thai population reported experiencing stress, 17.20% showed signs of depression, and 10.63% were at risk of suicidal thoughts. These figures indicate that the situation has worsened in recent years.
Mental health issues not only affect individuals, but also have wider economic consequences: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety disorders lead to 12 billion lost work days per year worldwide, resulting in an estimated economic loss of $1 trillion.
Nearly one in five people with a mental illness are unable to care for themselves, putting a strain on families who must arrange for caregivers, resulting in a loss of human resources.
Additionally, less than one in four people with severe mental illnesses who are at high risk of violence receive adequate care and supervision.
Economic and social pressures are contributing to depression and anxiety among Thais, with the proportion of people with such disorders significantly higher in 2023, surpassing the number of people with mental illnesses caused by substance abuse.
The suicide rate that year was 7.94 per 100,000 people, approaching the level of 8.59 per 100,000 people during the Tom Yum Goong financial crisis.
Environmental factors also play an important role in mental health, and with Thailand facing issues such as PM2.5 air pollution, some of which are among the highest in the world, continued attention is needed to address these environmental issues.
