The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), in collaboration with Mindventure, has launched a comprehensive project aimed at addressing the increasing rates of stress and depression among the youth in Thailand.

This initiative encompasses a range of activities designed to be implemented in schools, communities, and online platforms, focusing on the development of both personal and collective caring skills.

The project is projected to reach over 140,000 young individuals nationwide.

Pairoj Saonuam, the deputy CEO of ThaiHealth, reported that youth aged between 18 and 24 are experiencing significant levels of stress and depression, with reported rates of 24.5% and 26.9% respectively.

He stressed the need for young people to acknowledge the significance of mental health, equating its importance to that of physical health.

Key objectives of the initiative include promoting mental well-being and fostering holistic development—encompassing physical, mental, and intellectual growth—to establish a solid foundation for young people's lives.

The initiative highlights the Youth Mind Leader Network project, which encourages adolescents to engage in mutual care, facilitating an environment for them to share ideas and life lessons related to mental health.

Pairoj expressed optimism that the project would create a conducive learning atmosphere and stimulate creative activities leading to positive societal changes.

Chanakarn Kachonseree, head of the Youth Mind Leader Network project, emphasized the critical need for mental health support tailored for Thai youth.

Citing research, she noted that elevated stress levels are intricately linked to overall wellness and health.

Therefore, the project seeks to diminish stress through self-care initiatives and nurturing empathy towards others.

The Mind Leader training program has successfully completed its second cohort, involving 30 participants aged 15 to 25, who have engaged in foundational mental health risk assessments and received professional support via Mindventure’s official Line account.

Participants have been able to enhance their understanding of mental health, developing skills in self-awareness, emotional management, and active listening.

Kantaporn Kachonseree, co-founder of Mindventure, indicated that today marks the conclusion of the training for the second group, where the learning outcomes will be evaluated.

The project also encompasses various social impact activities such as training sessions, short films, and online content, all designed to exemplify the growth and positive transformations of the youth leaders involved.

Through these initiatives, participants have disseminated their knowledge to over 140,000 individuals via school interactions and online networks.

Kantaporn acknowledged the ongoing support from ThaiHealth, which has played a pivotal role in helping establish a youth mental health leadership network capable of making measurable contributions to society.