Public Health Ministry launches anti-depression campaign to mark National Mental Health Week
In a move to mark National Mental Health Week (November 1 to 7), Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul along with his deputy Satit Pitutacha and the Department of Mental Health launched a campaign called “Thai Public Health … No One Left Behind”.
The aim of the campaign is to prevent cases of depression by urging people to look after those around them, be they members of their family, school or work, Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy government spokesman, said on Friday (November 1).
“Rapid development and fast-changing condition of the world is causing tension, which can lead to depression in the future,” she said. “On average, depressed people attempt suicide every 10 minutes or so, and one is successful every two hours.”
According to the National Suicide Prevention Centre, as many as 53,000 Thais try to kill themselves every year, while 4,000 are successful. “Those whose suicide attempt fails, often try again,” Traisuree said. “Also, when looking at Thailand’s statistics on unnatural death, the number of suicides is higher than murders.”
The Department of Mental Health will hold a “Thai Public Health… No One Left Behind” event on November 2 and 3 at Bangkok’s Nine Centre. Participants can ask for advice on depression and suicidal tendencies at the event.