BANGKOK, 10 October 2014 The Public Health Ministry will be employing two new approaches to help patients with mental health issues. The move has been announced today, as it also marks the World Mental Health Day.
According to the Public Health Ministry, there are over 400,000 people diagnosed with schizophrenia in Thailand. Schizophrenia is the most common mental disorder, but it can still be cured through proper medication and consultation.
However, only half of the patients in Thailand have access to treatments. A better system has been set up this year to reach out to the ones who were unable to get help.
Those in need of more medication will be able to pick up their prescribed drugs at 736 hospitals around the country. Volunteers will also be assigned to various homes of Schizophrenic patients in order to provide advice and consultation.
Doctors have said that people diagnosed with schizophrenia are not dangerous to other people nor are they a threat to society. There are 26 million people living with schizophrenia in the world and most sufferers usually develop symptoms at the age of 15-35 years old.
