Linthiporn Highlights Social Violence as a Reflection of Mental Health Crisis in Thailand, Proposes 3 Urgent Remedial Measures

Linthiporn emphasized that recent violent incidents in society, though not directly occurring in schools, have significant ripple effects on classrooms, causing anxiety and safety concerns for children, teachers, and families. Drawing from her experience, she noted that while some schools have crisis management plans, preparedness varies across different regions. She called on the Ministry of Education to implement three key strategies: 1) Develop systematic crisis response plans with monthly drills accessible to all schools and areas, 2) Enhance understanding among teachers and students through positive discipline focusing on empathy and emotional communication, and 3) Improve mental health services by establishing support hotlines and identifying at-risk individuals in communities. Ultimately, she stressed that creating a violence-free society is a collective responsibility, not just the burden of schools, and that meaningful education begins with ensuring children feel safe and can understand and empathize with others.