Sirilapas Kongtrakarn: The beauty queen who battled depression to become Thailand’s mental health champion

[webfact]

Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn has never hidden her personal struggles while forging a political career dedicated to improving access to Thailand’s mental health services.

 

True to form, the 36-year-old politician talked movingly about her fight with depression as she demanded more public funding for mental healthcare during a parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday.

 

“I speak for people who have battled depression and other mental disorders, including mothers with postpartum depression and the elderly. Please pay attention and help us. Let’s ensure they receive proper treatment,” Sirilapas said, with tears welling in her eyes.

 

Depression survivor

 

Sirilapas, nicknamed Mew, regularly shares her experiences of struggling with depression for years, trusting that her stories may give fellow sufferers the courage to endure and one day overcome the condition.

“I hope my stories can offer lessons to others. It [depression] is not something you have to be ashamed of. Such conditions can be treated. We can get over depression and move ahead,” she said.

She counts herself as a prime example of how getting treatment can help sufferers live a quality life and even contribute to society.

 

Beauty in showbiz

 

Sirilapas is accustomed to the pressure of the public spotlight, having entered showbiz while she was still a teenager. She stepped into the limelight at the tender age of 16 when she was named second runner-up at Miss Teen Thailand 2003.

 

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk

Top File photo : Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-01-10

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[ourmanflint]

This lady has a lot to get off her chest…

[smedly]

you are obviously a very caring compassionate person, all you do is your best and you are not in an easy environment, you are among the lowest of the lowest - rise above it  Sirilapas and if it becomes too much just walk away, nobody will blame you 

[lordgrinz]

I wish her luck, but the majority of dinosaurs (MP's) in parliament are only worried about filling their pockets with cash, nothing more. 

[ikke1959]

In health care there is a lot wrong.. Why are so many young people committing suicide? Why are conflicts fought with guns, knifes or people beaten to death? All because people have mental problems, but in overcrowded hospitals with beds in the corridors and no mental care institutions no wonder... and than I don't talk about the noise pollution everywhere.. Noise is being used to torture so if people are stressed, where can they find a place to come to peace in their mind?? The temples?? they are evne the worst. So she really has a point.. Mental care should have much more attention and help from the Government

[herfiehandbag]

A rare thing, a politician who has a passion for a cause which is unlikely to bring her any financial or political benefit.

 

Go for it, good luck!

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, ourmanflint said:

This lady has a lot to get off her chest…

I think she's still recovering herself.