Mental health in contemporary Thailand: A stress management guideline model among Thai people

Abstract

Mental health problems among Thai people have shown an increasing trend in recent years. The rate of completed suicide has risen over the past decade, resulting in wide-ranging impacts at the individual, family, community, and societal levels. A major contributing factor is stress, which affects mental well-being, behavioral patterns, daily functioning, physical health, and inappropriate emotional or behavioral expressions. When stress becomes chronic and severe, it may lead to serious mental health problems, including thoughts of self-harm or harm to others. Therefore, appropriate stress management strategies are critically necessary.

This article aims to present a comprehensive framework for stress management applicable to the general population, ranging from individuals experiencing low levels of stress, who can manage their stress independently through lifestyle modifications and the promotion of balance in daily life to those experiencing high or severe levels of stress that cannot be managed without assistance and therefore require specialized techniques delivered by qualified professionals with appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience. If individuals are able to apply these approaches in ways that align with their personal context and readiness, stress can be effectively alleviated. This, in turn, can enhance mental health and overall well-being, improve work performance, strengthen psychological resilience, and promote harmonious relationships with others, ultimately supporting sustained and long-term mental well-being and quality of life.