#Youthwellbeing

Ambitions for elite college admissions are casting long shadows over the aspirations of both Thai students and their parents, reigniting questions about competitiveness, parental expectations, and the emotional well-being of accomplished teens. Recent commentary published by The Washington Post highlights a growing anxiety among parents whose children excel academically yet may not reach the pinnacle of admissions success, raising concerns about the psychological impact on families navigating today’s rapidly shifting educational landscape [Washington Post].

Ambitions for elite college admissions are shaping how Thai families view education, driving questions about competitiveness, parental expectations, and teen well-being. A recent Washington Post commentary highlights growing anxiety among parents whose high-achieving children may not secure coveted admissions, underscoring the emotional toll on families navigating today’s evolving education landscape.

For many Thai families, admission to top universities at home and abroad is seen as a doorway to prosperity and social standing. This belief guides hopes and investments in children, even as elite admissions become increasingly competitive worldwide. The perceived prestige of prestigious universities remains a powerful driver in Thai society, where graduation from renowned institutions can open doors to desirable careers and influential networks. When outcomes fall short of perfect admissions trophies, both parents and students can internalize disappointment, a dynamic discussed by educational experts and echoed in local commentary.

A growing body of research, highlighted in a new report by NPR, reveals that retraining your brain to crave movement instead of scrolling social media is possible—and may be essential for long-term mental and physical health. This article, based on insights from clinical psychologist and movement specialist authors of the book “I Know I Should Exercise But…”, dives into their latest recommendations for breaking the scrolling cycle and embracing more active habits—a message with powerful implications for Thais grappling with lifestyle changes in the digital era (NPR, 2025).

A growing body of research suggests that the brain can be retrained to crave movement instead of endless scrolling. In a new briefing inspired by experts who co-authored a book on exercise motivation, scientists outline practical strategies to break the scrolling cycle and embrace more active habits. For Thai readers, these insights offer a timely blueprint as digital habits grip daily life in urban centers.

In today’s fast-paced environment, stress and fatigue push many toward phone use as a comforting distraction. Yet frequent screen time often leads to heightened anxiety, reduced physical activity, and mood dips. In Thailand, where many youths report long daily screen hours, these habits pose concerning health risks, including rising obesity and mental health challenges noted by health authorities and academic work.

A surge of online gambling is capturing the attention of educators and parents as Thai high school students increasingly encounter virtual poker, casino apps, and other digital betting platforms. While global data show rising adolescent gambling, Thailand faces unique challenges as mobile access, social media, and informal networks blend with everyday life. Research from leading medical and public health institutions indicates that teens who start gambling early are more prone to long-term issues, underscoring the need for proactive awareness and intervention.

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.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the United States has unveiled a major rebranding and expansion of its well-known pediatric mental health program. The initiative, previously known as On Our Sleeves, has distributed free educational resources to more than 15 million people since 2018. It will now operate as The Kids Mental Health Foundation, reflecting a strengthened commitment to addressing the growing mental health needs of young people nationwide.

This moment matters to parents, teachers, and health professionals. The US Surgeon General and other authorities have called children’s mental health a national crisis. In Thailand, educators and families report rising anxiety linked to intense academic pressure, social media, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 on youth. A recent survey conducted by the foundation indicates that about 70 percent of nearly 540 parents are worried about their children’s mental health, with almost 40 percent describing themselves as very concerned.

Hollywood actor Penn Badgley’s candid discussion about body dysmorphia has sparked a worldwide dialogue about mental health, celebrity influence, and society’s beauty standards. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Badgley reflected on feeling “I hated my body and wanted a different one,” noting how fame can intertwine appearance with perceived value and opportunity. This admission resonates beyond the West, inviting Thailand to examine how media shapes self-image among Thai youth and adults alike.

Rejection can sting for anyone, but some people react as if every slight is deadly. This phenomenon, known as rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), has gained prominence through social media, evolving research, and personal accounts. A recent feature in a leading international publication uses real stories, clinical insight, and emerging science to explore a condition not yet common in medical textbooks but increasingly discussed by mental health professionals worldwide, including among Thai youths.

For many Thais, rejection—whether from friends, family, or colleagues—can feel like a sting, but for some, even the smallest slight feels devastating. This overwhelming emotional reaction, described as “rejection sensitive dysphoria” (RSD), is gaining attention thanks to social media, research, and a wave of first-person accounts. The latest article from The New York Times draws on real-life stories, clinical insight, and emerging science to examine a phenomenon seldom found in medical textbooks but increasingly recognized in the mental health community, including among younger generations in Thailand and worldwide (source: The New York Times).

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) has returned to the spotlight, with researchers and advocates describing how even minor criticism can trigger sudden, overwhelming distress. The New York Times highlighted RSD as a condition where perceived rejection can plunge individuals into deep sadness, rage, or worthlessness, making the world feel unstable.

For Thai readers, this renewed attention matters as mental health awareness grows amid lingering stigma. RSD is closely linked with ADHD and other neurodivergent experiences, but recent studies show its impact reaches beyond diagnosed groups, affecting daily life and self-esteem in many people. Data from leading health researchers indicate higher rejection sensitivity among those with mood disorders and anxiety, underscoring the need for broader recognition and support.

In recent months, the term “Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria” (RSD) has gained renewed attention in both scientific literature and popular media, as mental health experts and affected individuals speak out about this intense emotional condition that can turn minor criticisms into catastrophic emotional reactions. The New York Times recently profiled RSD, describing the condition as a state where even slight rejection, teasing, or criticism triggers a rapid plunge into feelings of profound sadness, rage, or worthlessness, making sufferers feel as if “the world is collapsing” around them source.