#Culturalsensitivity

A recent wave of parental advice circulating online has reignited a heated debate over whether children should hit back when provoked, challenging decades-old practices in child-rearing and school etiquette. The conversation has gained traction after a mother shared her controversial stance through a viral TikTok video, insisting that while her children should never hit first, they are encouraged to defend themselves physically if struck by another child. The issue has drawn fierce reactions—dividing parents, teachers, and child development experts—while raising important questions about conflict resolution and child safety in Thailand’s classrooms and playgrounds.

A new online initiative out of Syracuse, New York, is quietly transforming the way adolescents seek answers about sexual health—ushering in a digital age of confidential support. “Layla’s Got You,” a Syracuse-based website, harnesses the power of chatbot technology to help teens, particularly Black and Latina young women, find accessible, judgment-free information on sex, pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases. Launched in 2019 under the direction of the women’s health and empowerment director at the Allyn Family Foundation, this pioneering tool is quickly becoming a vital companion for U.S. teens hesitant to ask sensitive questions elsewhere.

A Syracuse-based digital initiative is quietly reshaping how adolescents access sexual health information in the United States, and its approach offers lessons for Thai readers as well. Layla’s Got You uses a chatbot to provide confidential, non-judgmental guidance on sex, pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. Launched in 2019 under the direction of a women’s health and empowerment advocate at the Allyn Family Foundation, Layla’s Got You has become a trusted companion for teens who hesitate to seek information through traditional channels.

A growing body of research and expert commentary shows a global, including Thai, need: sexual health support is often unmet for people living with and beyond cancer. As treatments improve and survival rises, quality of life—especially intimate wellbeing—becomes a crucial part of care. Medical professionals in Thailand and abroad urge clinicians, patients, and policymakers to treat sexual health as an essential component of cancer care, not a side issue.

Cancer touches every facet of life, and sexual health is particularly vulnerable to disruption. A psychologist from a leading international medical center explains that sexual well-being is connected to emotional and physical recovery during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Yet doctors frequently overlook these conversations, even as Thai and global studies show most patients experience some sexual health concern during their cancer journey.

Recent research and expert statements have highlighted an often silent struggle faced by cancer patients worldwide—including here in Thailand: the significant unmet need for sexual health support during and after cancer treatment. As treatments improve and survival rates rise, the quality of life, especially intimate wellbeing, has emerged as an urgent concern for many survivors and their families. Medical professionals from the Cleveland Clinic and Thai academic circles now urge healthcare providers, patients, and policy-makers to recognize sexual health as an integral part of cancer care—one that is too often neglected, misunderstood, or left unaddressed (Cleveland Clinic, 2024; J Med Assoc Thai PDF).

A recent open letter addressed to University of Ghana professor Ransford Gyampo has sparked discussions on the importance of language in the context of mental health. The letter, written by Nana Yaw Osei, Ph.D., criticizes the use of the term “mad” to describe individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI). This critique highlights a broader need to address how mental health is perceived and discussed both publicly and in academia.

In the letter, Dr. Osei argues that terms like “mad” are not only derogatory but also epistemologically naïve and professionally offensive. The commentary reflects a growing awareness that language shapes public perception and stigma around mental health. In this context, it’s important to use terminology that respects the dignity of individuals living with mental health conditions. The United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines SMI as a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that significantly interferes with an individual’s life.

A recent open letter to University of Ghana professor Ransford Gyampo has sparked global debates about how language shapes perceptions of mental health. Written by Nana Yaw Osei, Ph.D., the letter criticizes the use of the term “mad” to describe people with serious mental illnesses. This critique underscores a broader push to talk about mental health with dignity and accuracy in both public life and academic settings.

Dr. Osei argues that words like “mad” are not only insulting but also intellectually naïve and professionally inappropriate. The discussion reflects a growing consensus that language influences public attitudes and stigma toward mental health. In Thailand, as in many countries, careful terminology is essential to preserve the dignity of individuals living with mental health conditions.

A new perspective from neuropsychiatrist Dr. Alastair Santhouse challenges readers to consider whether mental health awareness is veering into over-diagnosis. In his book No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Overdiagnosis, he argues that while raising awareness is vital, it may also prompt more people to identify with symptoms that do not meet clinical criteria. For Thai audiences, this global discussion has meaningful local implications for how mental health is understood and treated.

A well-known action star’s simple technique is making waves beyond Hollywood. Tom Cruise reportedly shared a practical mantra with Hayley Atwell to ease social anxiety on the set of Mission: Impossible: when fear arises, face it directly. The idea is to observe the source of the fear rather than retreating from it: “If you’re scared of something, just keep looking at it.” Atwell found that naming and confronting the trigger helped transform vague nerves into concrete, addressable concerns.

A regional reflection on involuntary hospitalization in New York City is prompting Thai health officials to re-examine how to balance individual rights with public safety. Bangkok and other cities are weighing legal provisions, service capacity, and culturally sensitive care as they plan a humane, effective mental health system.

In New York, the mayor’s administration has pressed for involuntary hospitalization to connect people in mental health crises with treatment, even when there is no consent. Critics caution that the policy may not reliably improve outcomes and could produce unintended effects. A 2024 city study found gaps: many people removed from street homelessness were not admitted for inpatient care, and follow-up support varied. A council review also highlighted racial disparities, noting Black residents represented a disproportionate share of those removed from the streets.