Data from the Department of Mental Health showed that in 2023, 4.5 percent of Thais suffered from high levels of stress, 5.8 percent were at risk of depression and 3.2 percent had considered suicide, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
These figures will rise further in 2024, with 15.5% suffering from high levels of stress, 17.2% at risk of depression and 10.6% at risk of considering suicide.
According to data collected by BMHH, the top five most common mental illnesses in Thailand are:
Depression: It is especially prevalent among people aged 20-40, a critical time in life when people are becoming independent and beginning to support their families.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Irrational fear, worry, or anxiety for no apparent reason.
Stress: Resulting from pressure and tension.
Panic disorder: Similar to GAD but more severe.
Bipolar disorder: mood swings.
Dr Paweena said the hospital environment has a huge impact on mentally vulnerable patients, which is why she said BMHH focuses on making patients feel safe and secure in a warm and welcoming environment.
Hospitals have taken strict measures to ensure safety – removing sharp objects, making doors that cannot be locked from the inside and installing closed-circuit cameras to monitor patients – but great care has also been taken to ensure the inside does not look like a prison.
“Thai society has become more open and people’s perception of psychiatric hospitals has changed. People now understand that receiving therapy is one way to overcome difficulties in life. The approach to providing mental health care is very different from dealing with physical health problems because it involves a lot of emotions and feelings,” Dr Paweena said.
