#Mentalhealth

A new analysis clarifies a crucial point: “mental health stigma” is not one problem but two distinct challenges. Distinguishing between stigma toward psychotic disorders and stigma toward common conditions like depression and anxiety matters for effective campaigns in Thailand’s post-pandemic recovery. Policymakers, healthcare workers, and communities can use these insights to craft more precise, impactful efforts.

Stigma remains a major barrier to care. Recent coverage explains that lumping all mental illnesses together undermines anti-stigma work. In Thailand, as in many countries, public responses often conflate different conditions, leading to misperceptions and reduced access to services. The Department of Mental Health notes rising mental health hospitalizations and suicide rates in the post-pandemic period, underscoring the urgency of targeted strategies.

Exercise can be healthier for people with eczema than it seems. New research and expert guidance show that activity is still possible with proper preparation. Global estimates put atopic dermatitis affecting about 245 million people, with up to 10% of Thai children affected. This makes safe, enjoyable exercise a matter of everyday well-being across Thailand.

Thailand’s tropical, humid climate makes eczema management during activity particularly relevant. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a long-term skin condition marked by itching, redness, dryness, and sometimes blisters or thickened skin. It often begins in childhood and is influenced by genetics and the immune system. Sweat, heat, and friction can trigger flare-ups, but exercise offers significant mental and physical health benefits. The message from researchers and clinicians is clear: don’t abandon activity; sweat smart.

Staying fit with sensitive, easily irritated skin might sound like an Olympic challenge, but new research and expert advice show that people with eczema can still reap the rewards of exercise—if they sweat-smart. With atopic dermatitis now affecting an estimated 245 million people globally and up to 10% of Thai children according to global epidemiological data (Wikipedia: eczema), the question of how to safely integrate exercise into daily life has real consequences for personal health and quality of life across the country.

A shift in how therapists discuss suicide is underway worldwide, and Thailand is leading with culturally tailored, tech-enabled responses. This revision highlights how international evidence-based therapies mingle with local practices to support families and individuals facing suicidal thoughts. The aim is to provide Thai readers with clear, practical insights grounded in credible institutions and local context.

Suicidal ideation affects millions and strongly predicts suicide attempts, but risk varies with factors such as age, mental health, and life stressors. In Thailand, mortality data show notable increases in suicide-related deaths from 2017 to 2022, with teenagers aged 15-19 recording a high rate of attempts in 2023. These figures matter beyond statistics: families and communities confront the pain and disruption caused by such crises. Global research identifies depression, mood disorders, substance use, trauma, and acute stress as risk factors. Yet many people recover with timely support, underscoring the central role of early intervention and open conversations.

A sweeping analysis of TikTok’s most popular mental health advice videos has found that more than half contain misleading or incorrect information, raising alarms among healthcare professionals and policymakers about the social media giant’s growing influence on health behaviors worldwide. The investigation, which assessed 100 top-trending mental health advice clips on TikTok, concluded that 52 of these videos included some form of misinformation, often offering dubious quick fixes, misused psychological terminology, and claims devoid of scientific backing. As TikTok becomes a key source of health information for millions—especially the young—these findings highlight urgent global and Thai concerns about digital literacy, the risks of self-diagnosis, and the need for effective regulatory and educational responses.

A recent review of TikTok’s most-wollowed mental health advice videos reveals that more than half contain misinformation. This finding raises concerns for healthcare professionals and policymakers about how social media shapes health behaviors worldwide, including in Thailand.

The analysis examined 100 top-trending mental health clips on TikTok. It found that 52 videos included misinformation, often offering dubious quick fixes, misusing psychological terms, or lacking scientific backing. With millions turning to TikTok for health information—and a particularly young user base in Thailand—the study underscores the need for better digital health literacy and responsible platform governance.

A groundbreaking new analysis has brought careful attention to a critical but often misunderstood topic: the very different types of stigma surrounding mental health, and how failing to distinguish between them can undermine anti-stigma efforts worldwide—including those in Thailand. As mental health takes center stage during Thailand’s post-pandemic recovery, this research holds urgent lessons for policymakers, care providers, and ordinary citizens.

Stigma remains one of the most persistent barriers to effective mental health care. The latest insights, as reported in STAT News, explain that “mental health stigma” is not a single problem, but rather a pair of related but distinct social responses—each with unique consequences. The article draws upon international data and personal testimonies to shed light on how societies, including Thailand, routinely conflate two very different stigmas: one tied to psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and another linked to common, nonpsychotic disorders like depression and anxiety.

A new personality type is making waves in the world of child psychology: the ‘otrovert’. Recently introduced by psychiatrist Dr. Rami Kaminski in his latest book, “The Gift of Not Belonging,” the otrovert describes children who thrive in one-on-one interactions but feel alienated or uncomfortable in larger groups—a concept distinct from the more familiar categories of introversion and extroversion. As parents and educators in Thailand continue to seek a better understanding of children’s social needs, this new research sheds light on how some children may chart their own unique path through social development.

In a groundbreaking shift for health and wellness, recent research underscores that the most potent habit for a long and vibrant life may not be found in diet plans or exercise regimes, but in the quality of our relationships. Meticulous scientific evidence spanning multiple decades, now highlighted in a new synthesis by Dr. Rebekka Grun von Jolk, makes a compelling case: the warmth, support, and emotional safety provided by close connections are more consequential to health and longevity than some of our most cherished physical health markers.

Stamina isn’t reserved for athletes. New scientific guidance shows that anyone can improve endurance with simple, consistent steps that boost heart and lung health, energy, and long-term well-being. In Thailand, rising chronic diseases make stamina a national priority, and fresh research supports practical paths to lasting fitness.

Data from respected institutions indicates that boosting cardiorespiratory fitness — how well the body uses oxygen during activity — reduces chronic disease risk and lowers early-mortality odds. This means small, steady gains in endurance translate into meaningful health benefits for Thais across all ages.

A large study from China suggests that brief, online mindfulness programs can meaningfully reduce depressive symptoms, especially when paired with multiple approaches and professional support. In Thailand, rising rates of distress among younger people and workers navigating a fast-changing economy make this finding particularly relevant for public health and education sectors. Digital mindfulness interventions could offer scalable, accessible tools as part of Thailand’s broader mental health strategy.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are short courses designed to cultivate present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, and non-judgment toward one’s thoughts. They typically include guided meditation, breathing practices, and body awareness exercises. Digital MBIs delivered through websites or apps are increasingly popular due to easy access, privacy, and scalability. The research team notes that online delivery helps standardize protocols, a key asset for public health programs.

A new experimental study has revealed that brief, digital mindfulness interventions delivered online can lead to meaningful and lasting reductions in depressive symptoms, especially when combined with multiple approaches and professional support. With increasing rates of depression and emotional distress among Thai people—particularly younger populations and those coping with the stresses of the modern economy—this new evidence carries important implications for mental health promotion in Thailand’s digital era. The research, published in the academic journal Mindfulness, emphasises that even short-term, app-based mindfulness programmes can have a durable impact, offering hope for scalable, accessible tools in the fight against depression (PsyPost).

A wave of recent scientific research is challenging the common perception that meditation and mindfulness are universally beneficial, ignoring their potential to cause significant harm for some practitioners. While meditation, rooted in centuries-old Buddhist traditions and widely promoted in modern Thailand as a stress-relieving and wellness-enhancing practice, reports now highlight overlooked adverse effects—including anxiety, depression, dissociation, and even psychotic episodes. As mindfulness gains popularity across Thai schools, corporate offices, and healthcare settings, these revelations carry urgent implications for local practitioners, educators, and policymakers.

New international research suggests that kids who stay active before adolescence have a markedly lower risk of anxiety and depression later. For Thai readers, the findings reinforce urgent calls to boost physical exercise and organized sport among children and teens.

A large, prospective study published in June 2025 tracked activity levels and mental health from ages 5 to 11. Researchers found that boys who were physically active at ages 5 and 11 experienced nearly a 40% reduction in anxiety risk. Depression risk also declined for active boys, by 19% at age 5 and 23% at age 8. By age 11, active girls showed protective benefits too, with a 12% lower likelihood of future mental health diagnoses; for boys, the reduction reached 23%. The results align with growing evidence that early movement helps build psychological resilience.

A new wave of research and expert commentary highlights a relatable truth: some of the happiest people aren’t just lucky—they’re intentional about investing in everyday “small joys.” Drawing on insights from psychologists and positivity experts, a recent feature published by YourTango summarizes eight low-cost pleasures that contribute to personal happiness without guilt, affirming what many Thais and global readers have long intuited about the simple art of treating oneself (yourtango.com).

A new child psychology concept, the “otrovert,” is drawing attention as researchers describe kids who thrive in one-on-one settings but feel uncomfortable in larger groups. Dr. Rami Kaminski introduced the term in his latest book, The Gift of Not Belonging, to highlight a personality style distinct from traditional labels like introversion and extroversion. For Thai families, this offers fresh insight into children’s social needs and how best to support their growth in school and community life.

A groundbreaking international study has unveiled a novel way our brains reconfigure themselves while listening to rhythmic sounds, challenging long-held beliefs about brainwave activity and offering profound implications for music cognition, mental health, and brain diagnostics. The research, published this week in Advanced Science and led by teams at Aarhus University and the University of Oxford, introduces a method that captures the intricate dance of brainwaves as they respond to rhythm moment by moment—a discovery that could help redefine how scientists understand perception and consciousness (Neuroscience News).

A major new study reveals that children who engage in regular physical activity before their teenage years are significantly less likely to develop anxiety and depression as they grow older, adding new urgency to efforts aimed at boosting physical exercise among Thai youth. The research, published in June 2025, underscores the mental health benefits of sports and activity, especially as today’s youth are becoming less physically active.

The study, highlighted by The Washington Post, tracked children’s physical activity levels and mental health outcomes at ages 5, 8, and 11. Researchers discovered that boys who were physically active at ages 5 and 11 had their risk of anxiety slashed by almost 40%. Similar benefits were seen for depression: boys active at age 5 had a 19% lower risk, rising to 23% at age 8. By age 11, girls also began to experience the protective benefits, with organized sports participation linked to a 12% lower risk of future mental health diagnoses; the figure for boys was 23% lower (Washington Post).

A groundbreaking study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging has revealed that testosterone significantly increases men’s sensitivity to social feedback, reshaping how they experience moment-to-moment self-esteem. The findings promise fresh insights for understanding self-worth, mental health, and social behavior, with potential implications for treatment approaches that resonate in Thai society and beyond (psypost.org).

A team of international scientists set out to unpack testosterone’s intricate role in influencing not just the overall sense of self-worth—what psychologists call “trait self-esteem”—but the more fleeting, variable feelings of self-value known as “state self-esteem.” The research matters deeply for Thai readers, as cultural norms around masculinity, social acceptance, and mental health coverage intersect with emerging scientific understanding, and because mental health struggles linked to low self-esteem, especially among young men, are increasingly noted across Thailand (WHO).

A wave of recent research is calling into question the idea that meditation is universally beneficial. While mindfulness has deep roots in Buddhist traditions and is widely promoted in modern Thailand as a tool for stress relief and wellbeing, new findings show potential adverse effects for some practitioners. Reports point to anxiety, depression, dissociation, and even psychotic symptoms in rare cases. As mindfulness expands into Thai schools, workplaces, and healthcare, these findings carry important implications for teachers, administrators, and policymakers.

In a world obsessed with multitasking, fresh research questions whether our obsession is helping or harm. A Psychology Today feature draws on clinical practice and psychology to show not only the costs of constant task-switching but also the quiet power of fully engaging with a single moment. The piece argues that genuine presence can ease stress and fatigue, offering a simple antidote in our busy lives.

For Thai readers, the message lands at a national moment. Bangkok’s streets hum with traffic and digital chatter, while teens and workers report rising exhaustion and detachment. The core insight is clear: while multitasking is widely accepted, staying present may unlock greater well-being and better performance.

A wave of psychological research is challenging the idea that knowing ourselves is easy or complete. Studies suggest many aspects of our behavior and preferences are influenced by unconscious processes, making true self-insight more limited than people expect. The findings also warn that chasing inner truth too aggressively can hinder growth. For Thai audiences, these insights offer a call for humility, flexible thinking, and practical pathways to personal development that fit local culture.

A new international study reveals that the brain continuously reconfigures its networks as we listen to rhythm. Using a cutting-edge method, researchers show real-time shifts in brainwaves rather than fixed patterns, with important implications for music cognition, mental health, and brain diagnostics. The findings appear in Advanced Science and come from collaborations between Aarhus University’s Center for Music in the Brain and the University of Oxford. The work introduces FREQ-NESS, a tool that tracks how brain networks reorganize their dominant frequencies during rhythmic listening.

As Thai society becomes ever more health-conscious, fresh scientific insights are changing how we understand the path to greater stamina—no matter one’s age or starting fitness. Recent research and expert guidance are making it clearer than ever: anyone can improve their endurance through proven, practical steps that benefit not only physical performance but also long-term well-being (Prevention). The latest studies emphasise that increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, measured by VO₂ max (the body’s capacity to use oxygen efficiently during exercise), does more than allow you to take the stairs with ease. It actively reduces the risk of chronic disease and lowers the risk of early death (AMA), making stamina enhancement a vital goal for Thais of all backgrounds.