BANGKOK, 17 October 2011 (NNT) - Ministry of Public Health has reported that there nearly 100,000 flood victims are suffering from mental health problems and that it is preparing a long-term mental health recovery plan to help rehabilitate the patients.
According to Deputy Minister of Public Health Torpong Chaisarn, the survey conducted among the flood victims has revealed that 92,310 of the people have suffered from accumulated stress; 3,706 among whom suffer from high-level stress, 5,313 from depression, 727 are suicide-prone, and 1,091 need special treatment. The Ministry of Public Health has therefore prepared a long-term plan to treat those encountering mental problems by launching a project titiled "Bite the bullet and pull through." The Department of Mental Health has been ordered to collect data on mental health and the plights of the flood-affected regions, process the data and adapt them to the plan suitable for each region before proceeding with mental health recovery services.
As for the short-term mental treatment, Mr Torpong insisted that he will start a campign to take comedians to entertain the people in the flood-affectd areas. During the previous floodings, the campaign was warmly welcomed by the citizens, judging from the smiles on their faces right after the show; which apparently helped reduce stresses and took their minds off the flood problems.
News ID: 255410170010
Reporter : Boonyanut Chompan