July 2, 2009
Bangkok (ASTV Manager Online) – Public health ministry urged Thai people to be strong so as to overcome the economic and social problems they faced.
Up to 16 percent of Thais planned to harm themselves due to stress, according to a survey on Thais’ mental health in April. 9 percent used to harm themselves.
Top four problems included financial problem, family problem, illness as well as social problem.
It is worrying that some people chose to cope with problems by putting their life at more risk.
8 percent depended on liquor whereas 6 percent smoked and 1 percent turned to gambling.
Five suggested methods to deal with stress are watching movie or television, consulting other people, listening to music, taking exercise, and spending time with family.
Thais were stressful, worried, annoyed and depressed because of several factors such as politics, natural disasters and epidemics, particularly the influenza 2009.
Department of mental health offers advices for stressful people at the hotline 1323. This is an extra line apart from the automatic hotline 1667 and 1669.
