PUBLISHED: 17 Mar 2024 at 16: 40
In Thailand, people who are at risk of depression and suicidal thoughts are being helped by Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) technology, which gives them quick access to medical attention.
The technology, AI DMIND, integrated into the Line service of the National Health Security Office ( NHSO ), allows users to instantly assess their mental health status.
AI DMIND is trained to recognize signs of depression and suicidal ideation in collaboration with groups from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculties of Medicine and Engineering, the NHSO, and the Department of Mental Health.
Analyzing voice recordings in the district’s mental heath hotline database helps to achieve this.
However, AI DMIND enables mental health experts to achieve a wider market facing these difficulties, expediting their treatment process.
A team of seasoned doctors checked the accuracy of the technology’s initial analysis of mental health issues.
When people are assessed through the NHSO’s Line services, psychologists from the district’s mental health line No. 1323 are immediately notified. The individuals are then interviewed to assess their condition and determine the appropriate treatment facility or the need for immediate treatment.
The number of health care professionals with a focus on treating mental health patients is still inappropriate in comparison to the need, according to Prof. Dr. Nijasri Charnarong, assistant professor of Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Medicine.
According to Prof Dr Nijasri, the number of diagnosed mental health cases almost doubled from 2015 to 2021, while next year up to 1.5 million people aged 15 and older were diagnosed with despair, she said.
Only one fourth of them have received appropriate care, she said.