The Department of Mental Health reports that during the latest COVID-19 outbreak, there has been an increase in citizens seeking mental health consultations, with many experiencing stress, anxiety, insomnia, and fear of infection.

         Dr. Phannapimol Vipulakorn, Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, stated that during this wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public has shown increased tension and concern about contracting the virus. On a positive note, this has led to greater self-monitoring and prevention efforts. Data from the 1323 hotline indicates that the number of users is higher than in previous years since the first outbreak in May 2020, and citizens continue to call for consultations and information through the Department of Mental Health hotline. This is particularly true for relatives of those who have lost loved ones, who are seeking advice more frequently. It has been observed that individuals in treatment, whether in Home Isolation or Community Isolation, have lost family members, leading to grief, stress, insomnia, and other symptoms.

Regarding consultations via LINE, it was found that those who added the LINE account for consultations include 61% general public, 22% patients in Home Isolation, 7.3% at-risk individuals, 2.4% healthcare workers, 4.9% unspecified status, and 2.4% relatives of the deceased. The number of relatives or families of the deceased has also increased, similar to calls to the hotline, with most experiencing feelings of stress, discomfort, and anxiety about the current situation. Some are experiencing insomnia, and for children, it is crucial for caregivers to provide close support and understanding.

Children who have lost parents remain the most concerning group. This includes preschool children who cannot distinguish between life and death, continuing to behave normally. Relatives play a vital role in helping children navigate this period, needing to explain things simply for their understanding. For older school-age children, opportunities for discussion should be provided to help them understand and feel secure about the future, enabling them to cope with this situation.

As for the mental state of adults, it has been found that if family members fall ill simultaneously or if someone dies, most feel a sense of incompleteness, not having the chance to say goodbye or hold a funeral. However, once they recover, they can still perform various rituals. If they continue to feel sorrow even after 3-6 months, when grief typically begins to ease, they are encouraged to contact the hotline number 1323           

For information and consultations, the Department of Mental Health has created a page on Facebook: 1323 Mental Health Hotline where consultations can also be requested via chat. Another channel is LINE OFFICIAL @1323forthai