#Mentalhealth

For many Thais, the thought of flying abroad—whether for business, study, or leisure—evokes excitement, but also anxiety. This is especially true when a smooth journey is suddenly interrupted by turbulence, leaving passengers gripping their armrests and silently chanting “สาธุ” (sa-thu) for safe passage. A new feature published on HuffPost, “How To Calm Anxiety During Turbulence, According To Flight Attendants” (source), brings comfort by distilling practical, expert-backed strategies straight from the world’s most seasoned flyers.

Depression has reached record highs in the United States, with new research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealing a stark increase in prevalence and persistent disparities in access to treatment. Drawing data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the recent survey—conducted between August 2021 and August 2023—sheds light on both the growing scale of the problem and the obstacles many face in seeking help. As similar trends emerge in Thailand and across Asia, the findings carry important lessons for the Kingdom and the broader region amidst evolving mental health challenges.

A growing chorus of parents and child psychologists argue that letting kids face manageable risks can foster resilience, problem-solving, and independence. This perspective is gaining traction worldwide, including in Thailand, as scholars question the benefits of overprotective parenting. A recent Upworthy feature sparked widespread discussion about how excessive shielding may hinder emotional and social growth, prompting Thai educators and families to re-examine traditional approaches to preparation for an unpredictable world.

The arrival of a first child transforms daily life, bringing joy, new routines, and meaningful traditions. Jett and Campbell “Pookie” Puckett celebrated their first Easter as parents with heartfelt photos and reflections that resonate beyond celebrity culture. Their story offers a glimpse into how new families navigate love, sleep, and shared moments during a milestone many readers recognize.

For Thai audiences, family gatherings and holidays carry deep significance. Easter may not be a widely observed festival in Thailand, but its core themes—togetherness, new beginnings, and memories with loved ones—align with Thai values. Jett and Campbell’s description of their Easter as “magical” parallels sentiments felt during Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year celebration, when families bless children and spend time with elders.

A groundbreaking new study reveals that just five minutes of eccentric exercise each day can significantly improve strength, flexibility, and mental well-being in people who previously led mostly sedentary lives. The findings, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology in March 2025, challenge the notion that effective exercise requires a big time commitment—offering a practical path to better health for busy Thais grappling with limited time and space for fitness.

A new study shows that just five minutes of eccentric exercise daily can meaningfully improve strength, flexibility, and mental well-being for people who were mostly inactive. Published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology in March 2025, the research challenges the idea that substantial health benefits require long workouts. The findings offer a practical path for busy Thais juggling work, family, and limited space for fitness.

Eccentric exercise focuses on the muscle-lengthening phase of movements—for example, the slow lowering in a squat or the controlled descent in a push-up. In the Edith Cowan University-led study, 22 sedentary adults aged 32 to 69 followed two weeks of their normal routines, then completed a four-week program of one slow set each day consisting of chair squats, chair reclines, wall push-ups, and heel drops. The unique feature was a five-second lowering phase with a one-second upward action.

A public disagreement in New York City over how to tackle a growing mental health crisis has caught international attention and offers timely lessons for Thailand. Mayor Eric Adams criticized a plan proposed by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams that would create more administrative panels and oversight bodies, calling it neglectful because it would not deliver immediate, on-the-ground help to those in crisis. The exchange highlights a core policy question: does addressing mental health require more bureaucracy or faster, direct intervention?

The move to eliminate the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has stirred concern across the global health community. This policy shift raises urgent questions about how changes in a leading economy affect mental health systems in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Experts warn that removing a dedicated national body can destabilize data collection, evidence-based practices, and coordinated care—especially when suicide and substance-use harms remain pressing public health challenges.

The global women’s health sector is witnessing an unprecedented boom, with its market value projected to soar from US$250-300 billion in 2023 to an estimated US$500 billion by 2030, according to an analysis published by BDA Partners on April 21, 2025. This rapid expansion—averaging an impressive 10% annual growth rate—signals not just increased investment in reproductive health but also heightened interest in a diverse spectrum of conditions affecting women, presenting significant opportunities and challenges for countries like Thailand aiming to boost healthcare equity and quality for women nationwide (BDA Partners).

A recent personal account published by Slate has revived concerns about digital surveillance within intimate relationships. The story describes a woman who discovered her ex-partner had secretly placed a tracker in her bag, confirmed by her family’s early suspicions about controlling behavior. Experts caution that this is part of a broader, worrying trend affecting families and individuals worldwide, including in Thailand.

As smartphones and affordable tracking devices become commonplace, the line between affection and intrusion can blur. The Slate piece highlights a pattern where controlling partners monitor partners through digital tools. International research supports this concern, showing a rise in stalking and emotional abuse enabled by consumer technology. In Thailand, researchers and advocates are paying close attention to how technology-facilitated abuse is evolving alongside smartphone adoption.

Gen Z is flocking to gyms worldwide, seeking more than physical strength. For young adults navigating social, economic, and digital pressures, the gym has become a space to reclaim agency and emotional balance. Experts say fitness acts as both shield and sanctuary—helping manage stress, build identity, and create stability in uncertain times.

In Thailand, urban areas like Bangkok reflect this shift. Gym memberships among university-age Thais have risen after the pandemic, driven by the desire to cope with study stress, social media fatigue, and a volatile economy. Data from local health and education authorities shows young people are prioritizing mental wellbeing alongside fitness goals.

Across the globe, Generation Z is flooding gyms at record rates, seeking more than just muscle tone or cardiovascular endurance. For young adults facing unprecedented social, economic, and digital turbulence, the gym has emerged as a crucial arena for reclaiming a sense of agency and emotional wellbeing. New research and expert observations emphasize that, for Gen Z, fitness is both a shield and a sanctuary—a way to manage stress, cultivate identity, and carve out stability in an unpredictable era Refinery29.

For 16-year-old Molly from Weymouth, every day presents a battle—one that began four years ago when she first developed long Covid. From severe fatigue and heart palpitations to fainting spells, seizures, and even allergic reactions, Molly describes her experience as “horrible”, with basic activities now requiring a wheelchair and “two good days a week, maybe three”. With dedicated NHS long Covid support for young people in Dorset shuttered, Molly is preparing to journey 300 miles to Liverpool for private treatment, illuminating a broader crisis faced by young long Covid patients and raising urgent questions about national and global responses to this lingering pandemic (BBC).

The recent “Four Fun (Parenting) Things” article on Cup of Jo spotlights light-hearted family activities—from letting kids wield a camera on vacation to innovative breakfast ideas, playing creative games like “Priorities,” sharing poems, and joining community livestreams. While these may sound like simple, everyday fun, emerging research reveals that the very things parents do to make daily life playful and creative are fundamental to children’s development, and that trending parenting practices globally are now embracing these joyful approaches.

A major hospital network in New York’s Hudson Valley has agreed to overhaul its mental health services amid findings of serious care lapses during a state investigation—a move being closely watched by healthcare advocates internationally, including in Thailand, as systems globally grapple with post-pandemic gaps in psychiatric care (Gothamist). The action underscores both ongoing struggles in mental healthcare access and increasing government pressure for reform in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions.

A major hospital network in New York’s Hudson Valley has agreed to overhaul its mental health services after a state investigation uncovered serious care lapses. The reforms are watched by health advocates globally, including in Thailand, as health systems address post-pandemic gaps in psychiatric care. Public health experts say this case highlights how oversight and accountability can drive meaningful improvement.

WMCHealth, which operates nine hospitals in the Hudson Valley, has entered a legally binding settlement to restore psychiatric beds closed during the pandemic and strengthen emergency mental health protocols. HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, part of the WMCHealth system, reopened 20 psychiatric beds in December 2024 in response to the investigation. The network also plans a new 20-bed psychiatric unit at MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, a move announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The Ice Bucket Challenge, which captivated the world in 2014 and raised more than US$220 million for ALS research, is back in 2025 with a new mission. This time, university students in the United States are steering a movement to break the silence around mental health among young people. The campaign uses the familiar ritual of pouring ice-cold water over the head, sharing the moment online, and tagging friends, but funds now support Active Minds, a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention.

Beloved actress Jennifer Aniston, globally recognized for her roles in television and film, has opened up about her long-standing “extreme fear of flying”—a common phobia facing millions worldwide. In a recent interview, Aniston discussed not only her apprehension toward air travel but also the practical steps and psychological therapies she’s used to reclaim her sense of calm while flying. Her story—and the massive social resonance it has sparked—points to broader discussions about mental health, celebrity openness, and modern approaches to managing anxiety disorders.

The arrival of a first child brings a whirlwind of changes, excitement, and precious new traditions—something Jett and Campbell ‘Pookie’ Puckett experienced this Easter, as they celebrated the holiday for the first time as parents. Their story, shared with fans through heartfelt photos and joyful reflections, offers a window into the magic and challenges faced by new families everywhere, reminding readers that such milestones hold universal meaning well beyond the world of celebrities source.

A groundbreaking meta-analysis suggests that brisk walking for 11 minutes daily (about 75 minutes a week) can meaningfully extend life, lower the risk of major diseases, and improve overall well-being. The findings, published in a leading sports medicine journal, challenge the idea that only long, intense workouts matter and offer a practical path for busy Thai readers to stay healthy.

For many Thai readers across ages, fitting exercise into daily life is a struggle due to work, family duties, or city congestion. The research analyzed data from nearly 196 peer-reviewed studies, totaling more than 30 million participants. It found that 75 minutes of moderate exercise weekly reduced the risk of early death by about 23% compared with sedentary individuals. The study also reported a 17% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 7% reduction in cancer risk.

A compelling new study has gained global attention by revealing that walking briskly for just 11 minutes a day—or 75 minutes a week—could substantially extend your lifespan, reduce your risk of major diseases, and improve overall health—even if you can’t commit to lengthy workouts. This eye-opening research, published in the prestigious British Journal of Sports Medicine and highlighted in recent coverage by Yahoo News and Women’s Health, challenges the notion that only intensive or prolonged exercise carries real benefits, offering hope for busy Thais and anyone seeking accessible ways to stay healthy (Yahoo News, Women’s Health).

Molly, a 16-year-old from Weymouth, wakes each day to fatigue, heart palpitations, and episodes that include fainting and seizures. Once she could walk through a school day, now basic activities require a wheelchair on many days, with “two good days a week, maybe three.” With local NHS long Covid support for young people shuttered, Molly’s family plans a 300-mile journey to Liverpool for private treatment. Her story reflects a broader crisis: young patients navigating a blurred landscape of limited services and uncertain futures.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that individuals who use cannabis heavily enough to require emergency hospital care are at a significantly elevated risk of developing dementia within five years, sparking debate among health experts and the public at large, including in Thailand. According to the research, which involved more than six million Canadians, nearly 5% of those admitted to emergency departments or hospitals due to cannabis-related issues were diagnosed with dementia within five years. Alarmingly, this figure rose to 19% within ten years after such incidents, highlighting a concerning new link between cannabis use and long-term brain health (Local 12, The New York Times, CNN, JAMA Neurology).

In the aftermath of the shocking arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence, the spotlight has shifted from security failures to the complex web of mental health law meant to protect both individuals and the public. The incident, in which Cody Balmer allegedly attempted to set fire to the governor’s mansion using Molotov cocktails and a hammer, has ignited a heated national conversation about the effectiveness—and limitations—of involuntary mental health commitment laws in preventing violence. This story isn’t just an American one; its echoes are keenly felt in Thailand, where similar debates rage over the balance between civil liberties and public safety in mental health interventions.