New insights highlight awe as a powerful, underused tool to boost teen mental health. With rising stress and mental health concerns among Thai youths, experts urge families, schools, and communities to create more opportunities for moments of wonder. These experiences not only spark joy but may also strengthen resilience.
Thailand faces a mounting youth mental health challenge. Recent assessments show rising levels of depression, anxiety, and distress among adolescents. Data from studies cited by major Thai outlets indicate depression rates among youths aged 15 and older are substantial, while up to 17% of 13–17-year-olds may be at risk of suicide attempts. Experts say innovative, practical approaches are urgently needed to support young people.
Against this backdrop, research led by child development scholar Deborah Farmer Kris has drawn attention for its potential to empower families with a science-based, accessible remedy. Drawing on work from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, Kris describes awe as an “emotional superfood” with notable benefits: awe fosters kindness, humility, diminishes mental chatter, and boosts curiosity while enhancing social connection. Studies have also linked awe with reduced biomarkers of stress and inflammation.
So, what does awe mean in this context? Psychologists define awe as a complex emotion—an overwhelming sense of admiration, wonder, or reverence often triggered by something vast or beyond ordinary understanding. It can be as grand as Thailand’s scenic waterfalls or as simple as a small act of kindness. New research suggests that deliberately seeking awe in daily life can counteract pressures and anxieties common among today’s teens.
Physiologically, awe can influence developing minds by increasing vagal tone, lowering inflammation, and boosting oxytocin—key factors in stress reduction and social bonding. Psychology Today notes that awe can quiet negative, looping thoughts and promote altruistic behavior. UC Berkeley’s Dacher Keltner once emphasized the tangible impact of awe on well-being.
For Thai readers, these findings are especially relevant. Thailand’s competitive schooling culture, pervasive social media pressures, and strong family expectations contribute to adolescent stress. Addressing stigma and improving access to mental health support remain ongoing challenges, as cited by Thai health analyses. In this context, awe offers a culturally adaptable, low-cost approach that can be integrated into daily life.
Kris and colleagues suggest three practical paths to cultivate awe:
- Tune in to teen passions: Practice radical curiosity about what energizes a teen’s interests—arts projects, traditional music, robotics clubs—and support their self-discovery with attentive guidance.
- Seek ordinary sources of awe: Awe isn’t reserved for grand events. Teens can find it in daily experiences—supportive crowds at a local game, a sunset along a Thai coast, or acts of kindness in busy markets. Shared, goal-oriented activities strengthen social belonging.
- Celebrate beauty daily: Counter negative online content by sharing moments of everyday beauty through photos, quotes, or small stories. Technology can serve as a bridge for connection, not distraction.
Thai health and education advocates are taking note. Local programs emphasize art therapy and family-centered community activities, offering new pathways for resilience-building. The wider shift toward positive psychology and “awe-focused” approaches marks a move from solely treating symptoms toward proactive well-being.
Cultural factors help explain both opportunity and challenge. Traditional Thai values rooted in humility and social harmony align with awe-based mindfulness, yet they can also deter open discussions about mental health. As more families, teachers, and community leaders recognize emotional well-being as essential to overall development, signs of progress appear.
Looking ahead, integrating awe into youth mental health strategies could reshape support systems. Schools and temples—centers of community life—are well positioned to host awe-rich activities, from performances to meditation. Policymakers may consider awe-based programs as cost-effective supplements to traditional therapy, especially where mental health professionals are scarce.
Practical guidance for parents, educators, and community organizations:
- Practice radical curiosity: Observe and nurture your teen’s evolving passions.
- Seek and celebrate everyday awe: Embrace collective experiences that foster belonging.
- Share beauty daily: Use simple technology-enabled rituals to connect with young people.
- Create open conversations: Normalize discussions of wonder and emotional health to reduce stigma.
- Advocate for awe-focused activities: Support integration in schools, temples, and community centers.
Support is available for those facing mental health challenges:
- Thailand’s Mental Health Hotline: 1323 (24/7 confidential support)
- Samaritans of Thailand: Free, bilingual emotional support
- UNICEF Thailand: Youth-focused mental health resources and research
Ultimately, awe could become a cornerstone of Thai youth well-being in a rapidly changing world. By rekindling wonder, individuals and communities can reduce stress and strengthen connections.
Read more on awe and well-being through research from the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and related science outlets.