DMH to Open New Psychiatric Wards in 30 Hospitals Amid Rise in Depressive Disorder Cases

The Ministry of Public Health’s information centre revealed that the number of patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) in Thailand has increased by 12% in the past three years. According to data from 20 mental hospitals, MDD patients increased from 30,247 in 2019 to 33,891 in 2021. This doesn’t include those with other types of mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

Department of Mental Health (DMH) Director-General Amporn Benjaponpitak said this figure is a result of a trend caused by the current global situation. In response, the DMH will be opening new psychiatric wards in 30 hospitals nationwide.

"Thailand has 325 clinical psychiatrists working in public hospitals under the Public Health Ministry. There are also 2,838 psychiatric nurses and clinical therapists. The number of psychiatric staff is considered high compared to neighbouring countries," Dr. Amporn was quoted as saying in a report by Bangkok Post.

The DMH is also proposing to the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to include treatments in the universal health care scheme and to add medications for mental illnesses to the national drug list.