Department of Mental Health: One third of working-age faces depression

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BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 – One third of working-age population is now facing depression, while stress management shows signs in help reducing the stress and increasing happiness, says the DMH Director-General.

The Director-General of the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk has revealed the findings in the World Health Organization’s survey on the working-age population globally, that shows 1.9 billion people are at risk of facing mental complications from work, 8 percent of which are facing stress from their jobs.

The information corresponds with the DMH Hotline 1323’s statistics that showed that 32.24 percent of the 47,780 total hotline users face stress and depression, with most of those at the working-age at risk. 24.02 percent of the working-age population have also faced mental illness risks.

The DMH Director-General has said that stress from work is a big factor that affects productivity, life quality, and workplace environment. It can also lead to symptoms of mental illness.

He advised people to find proper methods to manage their stress. He suggested finding balance, focusing, communicating, and being honest and kind in order to create a healthy workplace environment and a relationship with their coworkers.

These methods are from Buddhism and can easily be adapted to the Thai social context, and can help lead to happiness in the society, says the DMH Director-General.