Don’t Forget Mental Health
The public prosecutor’s rejection of a police investigation into the October Siam Paragon shooting involving a 14-year-old suspect has caused a stir in Thailand. The decision came as the police report failed to provide a clear mental health assessment of the teenager, prompting concerns about society’s lack of understanding and capability in handling mental illness.
Pressure from an outraged public led to a premature conclusion in the police report, omitting a proper mental assessment of the boy. However, subsequent assessments from designated psychiatrists at Galya Rajanagarindra Institute revealed that the suspect lacked understanding of the charges, had communication issues, and struggled to control his emotions.
As a result, the suspect will need to undergo treatment before facing charges and standing trial, within the next 20 years before the statute of limitations expires. While some may be disappointed by this development, it sheds light on the societal challenges in comprehending and addressing mental health issues.
Over the past few years, Thailand has witnessed a troubling increase in cases related to mental health, including suicides, missing persons, domestic violence, and even homicides, where mental health patients are both victims and suspects. This rise aligns with information from the Ministry of Public Health, which confirms a significant increase in the number of people with mental problems. In 2015, the figure stood at 1.3 million, but it has risen to 2.3 million in 2021.
What is even more concerning is Thailand’s inadequate capacity to address this pressing medical need. Currently, only 28% of patients have access to proper treatment and counseling. Shockingly, there are only 1.3 psychologists for every 100,000 people in Thailand. The country has approximately 850 psychiatrists working in state hospitals, with a quarter of them located in Bangkok. Each state psychiatrist must attend to an overwhelming number of 20-50 patients per day. On the other hand, private hospitals charge exorbitant rates for their services. Such limitations are the result of negligence among policymakers and politicians.
What worsens the situation is the political landscape’s failure to prioritize mental illness in its agenda. During the election campaigns in May, not a single political party included mental illness as part of its pledges. For politicians, improved medical welfare boils down to merely raising the budget, expanding the coverage of the 30-baht Universal Health Care scheme to include additional drugs and diseases, and decentralizing medical care. Although the scheme recently added sexual operations to its coverage, it neglects to include essential drugs for mental treatment, such as Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, Venlafaxine, and Methylphenidate, in its fully-covered list.
In light of these pressing issues, a network of civic groups, including the Healthy Forum and Society of Young Social Innovators (SYSI), has submitted a petition to Dr. Cholnan Srikaew, the public health minister, requesting an upgrade in medical services for people with mental issues. The petition includes seven requests, such as the inclusion of major drugs in the 30-baht Universal Health Care service, expansion of psychiatric hospitals, and enhancement of helpline capacity to meet the demands for professional counseling services.
The government and policymakers must address these demands to ensure that mental health becomes a national agenda item. It is crucial to allocate the necessary time, resources, and policies to tackle this pressing issue. Ignoring the importance of mental health is no longer an option. Society needs to recognize its responsibility to provide adequate support and treatment for those struggling with mental illness. By doing so, we can create a healthier and more compassionate society for all.
