Number of young Thais with major depressive disorder increasing – DOMH

 

 

Thailand’s Department of Mental Health expressed concern on Wednesday (June 12) that the number of Thai teenagers and young adults suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) is on the increase, citing the fact that youths aged from 11-25 years old accounted for 13,658 out of a total 40,635 cases calling its mental health hotline in the first half of this year.

 

Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrachit, the department director-general, said that MDD is an important mental health issue because it cannot be completely cured, and those who do not receive proper treatment tend to end their lives in tragedy and suicide.

 

Dr. Kiattiphum reported that, in 2017, 4.94 in every 100,000 Thai youths aged 20-24 had committed suicide. The number increased to 5.33 in 100,000 in 2018. This statistic is in line with data from the department’s 1323 hotline that shows a rapid increase in the number of calls from younger people.

 

Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/number-of-young-thais-with-major-depressive-disorder-increasing-domh/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-06-13

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If my life depended on Cha Cha I would be majorly depressed too

Not really surprising is it when they grow up being constantly told how 'Superior' and 'Wonderful' their country is only to find their future is bleak and will be ruled by Dictators who will stunt their progress and steal from them at every turn !

I wonder if it's anything to do with the fact Thai's have affairs, extramarital relationships a lot more frequently than other nationalities/ cultures? Maybe all that cheating around has them all down in the dumps.


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5 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Just have to set a minimum age of 30 years old to be able to access and read the Thai news. Problem solved.

Your too old at 30 in Thailand, Thats a major part of the problem.

 

ok, firstly mental illness has nothing to do with nationality. a recent survey of university students in the uk found only 17% were happy with their lives.

 

mental illness and issues are an increasing and serious problem around the world and are not topics for frivolity.

....

Welcome to the world Thailand.  The genie is out of the bottle.  Kids see so much out there, that they don't have.  See less opportunities for them.  Over crowding, heat and humidity.  Constantly changing government setups and structures and leadership, typically with elections only when preceded by coups.  Corruption rampant at all levels of society.  No proper civil police, or court system by most internationally recognized standards.  A tough place to grow up in.   The calm, sedate, serene, meditative, quiet village life that people see in old travel videos is becoming a myth.  

Perhaps the shortage of Vitamine D as of always hiding for the sun. Aside of the other bbq food and noodles diet.

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr. Kiattiphum reported that, in 2017, 4.94 in every 100,000 Thai youths aged 20-24 had committed suicide.

Does this include  how they kill themselves (and others) on the road?

4 hours ago, kwan said:

....

We shouldn't blame the kids. It is not easy for those without "connections" to find a good job, especially those who live in the countryside and go to third rate universities or techno-colleges. I have seen so many who start school full of enthusiasm, but as time goes by realize that it will be almost impossible to get a decent job. Results: depression, drug and alcohol abuse, gang membership, early pregnancy, etc.

Maybe if  young Thais put down their phones and actually did something it  might help.

17 minutes ago, bangkokfrog said:

It is not easy for those without "connections"

I disagree, where there's  a  will, My Wife came from an Issan  village, worked several  jobs to save  money starting at 14  years old and learnt English at the temple so she could get a better salaried job later.

When I met her she a;ready had about 400k saved in her bank. She didn't want to be  poor, she would do ANY  job to save  money.

Many people seem to think all this "just  happens" they are afraid of hard work.

16 minutes ago, Chazar said:

I disagree, where there's  a  will, My Wife came from an Issan  village, worked several  jobs to save  money starting at 14  years old and learnt English at the temple so she could get a better salaried job later.

When I met her she a;ready had about 400k saved in her bank. She didn't want to be  poor, she would do ANY  job to save  money.

Many people seem to think all this "just  happens" they are afraid of hard work.

I didn't say it is impossible, and top marks to your wife who appears to be a rare find in Thailand. My comment related to disillusioned kids who go to school/university/college genuinely believing that there is a career available to them, only to find out later that they have wasted their time. Some, like your wife, will pick themselves up and make the most of life. Sadly, many will give in to depression. I think that if the government were to put more money into meaningful infrastructure and permanent job creation projects in rural areas and not just the big cities, the situation would improve greatly.

7 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

ok, firstly mental illness has nothing to do with nationality. a recent survey of university students in the uk found only 17% were happy with their lives.

 

mental illness and issues are an increasing and serious problem around the world and are not topics for frivolity.

WHY- laughter is the best medicine

I tought Thailand the LAND OF SMILES and PARADISE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a research study, truly objective, were done - which of course it never will be - into how young Thais (teenagers and Thais in their twenties) felt before the 'election' and how they feel now after the 'election' and its No Change result, I think I could guarantee that the feelings of hopelessness and depression and despair have markedly increased in many, many young members of Thai society.

And who can blame them - when any real popular, democratic input over how their country is ruled is effectively ZERO now, as during the past five dreadful years.

It is a psychological fact that depression often increases in proportion to heightened feelings of powerlessness and lack of autonomy.

 

Thailand is one of the great leaders in the world for rendering its people, year after year after year, UTTERLY POWERLESS!

 

 

Edited June 14, 20197 yr by Eligius

8 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

Welcome to the world Thailand.  The genie is out of the bottle.  Kids see so much out there, that they don't have.  See less opportunities for them.  Over crowding, heat and humidity.  Constantly changing government setups and structures and leadership, typically with elections only when preceded by coups.  Corruption rampant at all levels of society.  No proper civil police, or court system by most internationally recognized standards.  A tough place to grow up in.   The calm, sedate, serene, meditative, quiet village life that people see in old travel videos is becoming a myth.  

Constantly changing interpretations and applications of existing laws depending on your bank account balance.

Number of studies have been done that indicate spending lots of time on social media has increased levels of depression and suicide.

Another factor here is the structure of education and society in general; students who ask questions are troublemakers; constant deferring to their "superiors" & dare not speak out stifles creativity and problem solving, lack of mental health resources and stigma if seek help. Plenty more could be added to list no doubt.

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Number of young Thais with major depressive disorder increasing

Should be: Number of Thais with major disorder increasing.

Really no surprise when you look at the face saving culture, not being allowed to fully express their feelings and emotions, leading to a forever build-up of various emotions, ready to explode at any time. Couple that with a complete lack of free mental health support in the Kingdom...

56 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Number of studies have been done that indicate spending lots of time on social media has increased levels of depression and suicide.

Another factor here is the structure of education and society in general; students who ask questions are troublemakers; constant deferring to their "superiors" & dare not speak out stifles creativity and problem solving, lack of mental health resources and stigma if seek help. Plenty more could be added to list no doubt.

Very good points! 

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s Department of Mental Health expressed concern on Wednesday (June 12) that the number of Thai teenagers and young adults suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) is on the increase, citing the fact that youths aged from 11-25 years old accounted for 13,658 out of a total 40,635 cases calling its mental health hotline in the first half of this year.

Include those into the adult population and we can see the effects by the daily slaughter/violence we read about every day!

Not really surprising is it when they grow up being constantly told how 'Superior' and 'Wonderful' their country is only to find their future is bleak and will be ruled by Dictators who will stunt their progress and steal from them at every turn !

Especially when everyone knows the UK is the most superior of all


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Yup half as many young people having to care for twice as many old people who refuse to give up leadership positions and are driving the country to a polluted bankrupt end.  Not suprising really!

I have heard that major causes of depression are Juntitis, Prayuthosis and Dictatopathy, and other related illnesses.  

13 hours ago, kwan said:

....

 Do you know anything about Thai culture,  You cannot work till your 18 legally. your old at 30 , If your in between you may get 200 baht a day. Most the meanial jobs are done By children trying to make money for their family,

Same happens to my 13 year old son when I take his tablet away! 

15 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

ok, firstly mental illness has nothing to do with nationality. a recent survey of university students in the uk found only 17% were happy with their lives.

 

mental illness and issues are an increasing and serious problem around the world and are not topics for frivolity.

Good point.  The exact same thing is going on in the USA.  Just read an article about millennials and their problems.  Guess being young anywhere in the world seems to suck right now.

 

[There’s been a marked uptick in so-called deaths of despair—those involving drugs, alcohol or suicide—among millennials over the last decade...]

[These issues can contribute to mental health conditions, and younger Americans report higher rates of depression and anxiety than previous generations. While there’s never a single cause of suicide, mental health conditions like these are considered a primary risk factor.]

 

https://time.com/5606411/millennials-deaths-of-despair/

 

9 hours ago, Chazar said:

Maybe if  young Thais put down their phones and actually did something it  might help.

That would mean having conversations with other kids of the same age group who, unlike their mothers, wouldn't tell them everyday how wonderful and clever they are.

How could they handle having someone tell them 'don't be daft, what you said is wrong'.

Spending all your time getting high scores on games makes them a hero in their own mind then when real life jumps up and hits them on the nose it is still not their fault, it is because no-one understands them.

I have a hard job trying to think of more than 2 or 3 Thais who can laugh at themselves, and 'they' were educated overseas.