PUBLISHED: 19 Oct 2024 at 20: 45
Almost 20 % of Thai teenagers are in danger of self-harm, the Department of Mental Health ( DMH) says.
According to observers, the publication highlights the need to provide mental health issues to young people special attention.
Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong, director of DMH, reported on Friday that 503, 884 youth, 18 and under, had submitted an application for mental health check-in from Feb. 12 through Oct. 14 this time.
The software provides a platform for users to ask experts for advice online and provides self-adjustment for essential mental health issues and screening for risk of mental health issues.
Of those, 51, 789 users, or 10.28 %, could be at risk of depression, and 87, 718, or 17.4 %, are at risk of self-harm, he said.
These numbers” function as a warning signal that we all need to work together to solve this problem,” said Dr. Kittisak, noting the urgency with which youth are in need of mental health care.
But, solving mental health problems, especially in this modern time, may be done by the government only.
It requires participation from all industries, including the government, private business, and civil society, he said.
Dr. Kittisak Aksornwong, director of the Department of Medical Health, addresses the Samyan Mitrtown press conference on Friday. ( Photo: Department of Medical Health )
He cited TikTok as an example of a popular system among youngsters for whom technology and social media are crucial components of everyday living.
We all had work together to create a secure online environment that fosters good mental health, he said.
The DMH collaborated with TikTok Thailand to launch the TikTok Mindful Makers campaign and the new” Sati” app, which provide access to trained listeners ‘ on-demand listening services.
He said the TikTok Mindful Makers plan is working with the World Health Organization and the Mental Health Trust Network Programme to distribute awareness of mental health, create a virtual community of support and understanding, and foster a more sympathetic and understanding community through online forums.
Chanida Klyphun, brain of people policy for TikTok Thailand, said Mindful Makers has over 13 billion views abroad.
She said it’s crucial to make the program a safe haven for everyone so that it can be used for artistic purposes.