#Mental Well-Being

In a dynamic shift, mental health therapy is increasingly gaining acceptance across various generations, particularly reflecting evolving societal perspectives on mental well-being. This growing acceptance represents a significant transformation for the field, as highlighted in a recent article by Star Tribune featuring Ellen Kingren, a mental health therapist who emphasizes the unique insights gained into humanity through her profession. Understanding this shift has important implications for both therapists and clients in Thailand, where mental health continues to grapple with cultural and generational challenges.

In an era where mental health challenges are escalating worldwide, Thailand mirrors a concerning global trend: workers increasingly grappling with stress, anxiety, and burnout. A recent study by AXA and IPSOS, encompassing 16 countries, including Thailand, unveils the pervasive stressors affecting individuals aged 18 to 75 in the workforce. This research highlights key factors impacting mental well-being, illuminating the urgency for awareness and action within Thai society.

The study’s global span includes nations such as China, France, Turkey, and Thailand, showing a disturbing consistency in the workforce’s mental health decline. In Thailand, as in many parts of the world, financial instability and job insecurity compound the psychological toll of constant negative media exposure. The prevalence of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety remains unsettling, affecting one in three individuals surveyed. These findings resonate with Thai readers due to cultural sensitivities around mental health and a growing openness to discussing these issues within communities.

The rising tide of mental health issues among workers globally has reached alarming levels, according to a recent study conducted by AXA in collaboration with IPSOS. Survey data from 16 countries, including Thailand, reveal a troubling status quo where stress, anxiety, and burnout are becoming increasingly common in the workforce. This situation not only affects individual well-being but also impacts productivity and organizational health on a large scale.

The study finds that one in three individuals surveyed across countries such as Belgium, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States are grappling with at least one mental health condition. Depression and anxiety, the most cited afflictions, show no signs of diminishing, a challenge exacerbated by factors like financial instability, job insecurity, and a pervasive onslaught of negative news. The implications are far-reaching, as climate change and digital threats contribute to a pervasive sense of vulnerability—what CEOs like Patrick Cohen of AXA call “eco-anxiety”—further amplifying stress levels.

With the vibrancy of spring comes the opportunity to cast off the lingering malaise of winter months, a period for which many seek to boost their mental health. A groundbreaking study recently highlighted by 9NEWS offers a compelling prescription: rethink what’s on your plate. Led by significant research efforts, this large-scale study unveils a profound link between dietary habits and mental health, inviting us to consider food choices with renewed intent.