As Thailand’s healthcare system modernises and more children with complex health needs survive and thrive, a crucial question is gaining prominence: are we truly supporting the parents who shoulder the day-to-day care of sick or disabled children—or could we be unintentionally making their burden heavier? Echoing concerns raised in a recent commentary by The Guardian, leading-edge research highlights that while the journey of parenting often appears communal, families dealing with illness or disability travel a far lonelier, more taxing road that requires nuanced support from society, healthcare providers, and government systems (The Guardian).
For many Thai families, raising a child with significant health challenges means deviating from the expected path charted by antenatal classes, parenting “how-to” books, and milestone celebrations. While most new parents build solidarity through shared experiences—swapping sleep-deprivation stories, fears about first vaccinations, and worries about starting school—parents of children with chronic illness or disabilities find their experiences diverging sharply. This divergence can quickly lead to emotional isolation and complicate their ability to seek or receive empathy, even from those closest to them.
Latest research published in 2025 in high-impact medical journals underscores the psychological cost borne by these families. A study in JAMA Psychiatry observed that parents of children with chronic physical illness showed significantly higher levels of psychological distress, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to parents of healthy children (PMC12087426). Another meta-analysis released this year highlighted the mental health toll on caregivers, revealing higher rates of depression and anxiety—factors tied to lower quality of life and, in some cases, to negative health outcomes for both parent and child (ScienceDirect, BMJ).
These findings resonate with the lived experiences of parents described in The Guardian’s feature. The columnist recounts how mothers and fathers, confronted with their child’s protracted hospital stays or failure to meet developmental milestones, quickly grasp that their parenting trajectory is “on another plane”. Comments from parents like the author of “Lifeblood”—a new memoir detailing years of hospital care and interventions for a child diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder—highlight the emotional chasms that can open even among friends. Seemingly casual conversations about routine childhood struggles can trigger feelings of grief or even bitterness in parents whose daily reality includes life-threatening health episodes, repeated medical procedures, and faced uncertainty about the future.
Numerous studies now advocate for systematic screening and psychological support for caregivers of children with chronic conditions. Recent reviews suggest that interventions like mindfulness-based training show promise in reducing parental stress and improving mental health outcomes (PubMed). Additionally, Family support programmes and case management—long championed by organisations representing people with disabilities—are increasingly evidence-based, shown to boost well-being and resilience among caregivers (Frontiers in Psychology).
In the Thai context, these findings carry particular urgency. While public healthcare offers support for many physical needs, families of disabled children often find themselves navigating a patchwork of hospital visits, therapy sessions, special education requirements, and complicated paperwork. Some community-based support initiatives exist, typically spearheaded by parent advocacy groups and NGOs, but comprehensive services that address the psychological toll on caregivers remain scarce. According to academic sources and NGO reports, Thai parents may experience intense social isolation, fear of stigma, and diminished employment opportunities as they dedicate themselves to their child’s care—a pattern echoed in global research (Human Rights Watch).
Thailand’s social and familial traditions shape the landscape of care. The culture of “bun khun”—a deep sense of parental duty and reciprocity found in Thai families—means caregivers often feel compelled to shoulder their responsibilities silently, sometimes foregoing external help due to shame or fear of burdening others. As one pediatrician at a major Thai university hospital explained, “We see the love and commitment of Thai parents every day, but without peer support or psychological assistance, exhaustion and depression are real risks.”
Despite these barriers, there are emerging signs of progress. For example, the Thai government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme now provides some financial relief for families with children who are severely disabled, and there are efforts to expand inclusive education and therapy services. However, emotional and social supports still lag far behind those in many Western countries. Unlike in the UK, where parent advocacy has prompted significant changes to hospital policy and support structures, Thai parents often must actively seek out scarce peer networks or informal support groups.
Crucially, international studies emphasise that positive outcomes for children are closely intertwined with parental well-being. Parental stress can contribute to inconsistent caregiving and poorer health outcomes for children. Conversely, structured psychosocial interventions, such as guided peer-support groups or mindfulness-based therapy, have demonstrated benefits for both parent and child (ScienceDirect, PubMed). For example, a systematic review published this year confirmed that parents participating in mindfulness programmes reported reduced levels of anxiety and depression, contributing to better family functioning overall.
Despite clear evidence for the benefits of robust caregiver support, many parents continue to wrestle with secondary trauma caused by well-intentioned but insensitive comments from peers, health professionals, or even strangers. Subtle reminders of their families’ differences—such as photos of other children at the beach, or casual complaints about minor ailments—are daily triggers that can compound isolation. As one mental health advocate remarked in a 2025 Human Rights Watch report: “Just being present and listening, rather than offering platitudes, can make a substantial difference for these families’ mental health” (Human Rights Watch).
Local attitudes also play a profound role in shaping parental experience. In Thai Buddhist culture, themes of karma and fate may be invoked to make sense of disability or chronic illness. While these beliefs can foster acceptance and resilience, they may also, at times, reinforce fatalism or discourage proactive advocacy. However, there is growing recognition among Thai health professionals of the need to shift the discourse towards empowerment, stressing that parents and families are not alone and that asking for help is a sign of strength.
Looking to the future, experts recommend several practical steps to lessen the psychological toll on Thai parents of children with special needs:
- Destigmatise mental health support for caregivers through public health campaigns and school-based outreach programmes
- Expand peer-support networks and mentoring for new parents entering the “other plane” of caregiving
- Integrate psychological assessment and support into routine hospital and community care, not leaving it to crisis points
- Increase training for health and social care professionals in delivering sensitive, family-centred care
- Invest in research and pilot programmes for innovative psychosocial interventions, adapted for Thai cultural contexts
- Encourage concrete policy support, such as flexible work schedules, paid leave, or financial supplements, as piloted in other countries (Forbes)
For Thai parents struggling with the invisible workload of caregiving, small acts of understanding from friends, relatives, teachers, and medical teams matter enormously. Even if well-meaning attempts to offer hope or support sometimes misfire, simply showing up—with a willingness to listen—can provide more lasting comfort than any tidy advice or comparison. The message from the latest research is clear: to improve outcomes for children, we must also prioritise the psychological health of their families.
Practical steps for Thai readers include reaching out to local parent support associations, advocating for psychological assistance at hospital visits, and cultivating openness about the realities of caregiving within your own community. The shift toward compassionate, inclusive support is slow—but every act of awareness and solidarity edges the journey forward.
Sources:
- The Guardian - Do we think enough about parents who care for sick or disabled children?
- JAMA Psychiatry Study on Psychological Distress
- ScienceDirect: Parenting Stress and Positive Mental Health
- BMJ: Screening Parents of Children with Chronic Condition
- Human Rights Watch: Care and Support for Children with Disabilities
- Forbes: The Crisis of Special Needs Parent Support