A fresh analysis in medical research identifies two separate, deeply rooted forms of mental health stigma that require different strategies to overcome. Published recently, the study urges nuanced advocacy and policy actions to improve mental health support worldwide. For Thailand, where conversations about mental health have historically been limited, these findings offer practical pathways for clinicians, teachers, and policymakers to build a more inclusive system.
Globally, stigma prevents people from seeking care, leading to untreated conditions and social isolation. In Thailand, mental illness is often treated as a family issue—“เรื่องในบ้าน”—worth keeping quiet rather than seeking help. The research argues that anti-stigma efforts must separately address beliefs about psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, and common conditions like depression and anxiety.
The narrative begins with a physician’s account of battling depression while serving in a rural area, illustrating how internalized stigma—fearing judgment as weak or incapable—can deter people from seeking local care. The author, a senior scientist at a leading university’s public health school, emphasizes that stigma is a global constant. In Thailand, Ministry of Public Health data highlights that up to 80% of people with mental illness do not get treatment due to shame or fear of social consequences, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive outreach.
The study distinguishes between two stigma types. The first targets psychotic disorders, where fear and mistrust prevail. People with these conditions are unfairly labeled as unpredictable or dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, research shows individuals with psychosis are less likely to be violent and more often victims than perpetrators of violence. Yet media portrayals frequently conflate psychosis with crime, fueling fear. In Thailand, sensational reporting can reinforce these misperceptions, deepening isolation for patients and families.
The second stigma affects common mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Rather than fear, sufferers are often viewed as weak or lacking willpower. The research notes that language linking temporary sadness to clinical depression fuels this faulty judgment. In Singapore, more than half of respondents saw depression as a sign of personal weakness. A 2023 Thai National Statistical Office survey found that 38% of Thais believed depression stems from an “unstrong heart” rather than a medical condition, reflecting similar cultural attitudes.
Why these stigmas endure is explained in the study. Psychotic episodes are rare and sometimes invisible, which paradoxically raises fear. In contrast, nearly half the global population will experience mental illness at some point, with depression and anxiety ranking among the leading causes of disability. Yet these common conditions are often dismissed as personal failings, complicating advocacy and resource allocation. Thailand’s mental health care remains centralized, with a limited number of psychiatrists relative to the population.
The report offers actionable strategies. Anti-stigma campaigns should tailor messages to the stigma’s root causes: for psychotic disorders, focus on evidence about safety and normalcy, and promote accurate media portrayals. For depression and anxiety, emphasize that these are medical conditions that respond to treatment. Social exposure—positive interactions with people managing mental illness—can reduce stereotypes for both stigma types.
Public figures who share their mental health journeys can dismantle myths by illustrating that mental health challenges cross all social boundaries. Olympic athlete Michael Phelps is highlighted as a strong advocate for openness. In Thailand, outspoken remarks by artists and public figures have sparked important conversations, though rural and non-urban communities still face barriers.
The Thai context adds complexity. Buddhist teachings emphasize compassion, yet traditional beliefs can perpetuate stigma, with some attributing mental illness to karma or encouraging traditional healing. At the same time, social media and popular culture are broadening conversations about mental health, especially among younger generations.
Looking ahead, Thailand should tailor its stigma-busting efforts. For psychotic disorders, engaging community leaders, religious figures, and health volunteers in educational outreach can correct myths about safety and unpredictability. For depression and anxiety, workplace wellness programs and school-based initiatives can reframe these conditions as treatable health issues. Policy work is essential: mental health must be integrated into universal health coverage and adequately funded to reflect its social burden. Global data show suicide claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually, highlighting the urgency of robust prevention efforts in Thailand, which already faces elevated suicide concerns in the region.
Practical takeaways for Thai readers are clear. First, examine personal beliefs about mental illness and seek guidance from reputable health authorities and international organizations. Second, cultivate empathy within families, workplaces, and communities, supporting those seeking help and recognizing that recovery is possible. Silence only deepens stigma, and compassionate, informed action is essential as Thailand navigates evolving social changes.
Informed by research from global health experts, Thai institutions, and international organizations, the article reinforces a simple message: differentiate the narratives around psychotic versus common mental illnesses, promote evidence-based understanding, and expand access to care across urban and rural areas alike.