BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 – According to the Department of Mental Health’s latest survey, the number of alcohol-related mental disorders is on the rise in Thailand.
The department conducted the national mental health survey every five years to study the link between psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. This year’s survey was conducted on nearly 5,000 subjects aged over 18 across Thailand during July and September of 2013.
The survey found that the prevalence of Thais with mental problems is at 1.9 percent or 1 million people. In this group, 1.8 percent or 900,000 people suffer from depression while 1.6 million people suffer from anxiety. Around 500,000 adults have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The alarming discovery in the survey is the fact that the prevalence of alcohol drinkers with mental issues is 19.6 percent or 10.1 million people. Compared to other countries around the world, Thailand tops the list, followed by Ukraine, the US, South Africa and Japan.
Alcohol can contribute to the development of mental health problems, as well as exacerbating pre-existing mental health difficulties. It can also reduce inhibitions for an individual to act on suicidal thoughts, which they may not have done if not under the influence of alcohol.
