HFEP Supports 'Dental Mind Connect 360°' to Establish Proactive Mental Health Care System Across 19 Dental Schools to Combat Youth Stress and Depression Crisis
A health foundation launched a nationwide mental health initiative across 19 dental schools to support students facing rising depression and stress, with data showing 26.9% of Thai youth aged 18-24 are at risk of depression.
On May 14, 2025, the Health Promotion Foundation (HFEP) joined with the Council of Deans of Dental Schools of Thailand and Naresuan University to conduct the workshop 'DENTAL MIND CONNECT 360°: Integrated Digital Counseling & Proactive Mental Health Screening for Dental Students' at Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel in Bangkok.
Under the mental health promotion and network strengthening project in dental schools, the initiative aims to develop a proactive mental health care system for dental students across the country.
Dr. Pairojn Saonuam, Deputy Manager of HFEP, stated that this collaborative effort in establishing a proactive mental health care system represents a significant step toward mental health support for youth and students who face continuously increasing psychological risks.
Data from Thailand's 2024 mental health assessment shows that young people aged 18-24 in higher education and early career stages face higher mental health risks than other groups, with 26.9% at risk of depression, 24.5% experiencing high stress, and 6% developing clinical depression. This directly impacts mental health, academic performance, daily functioning, and related issues.
Dr. Pairojn stated that HFEP collaborates with networks to develop multiple mental health promotion models for university-aged youth, including specific models for the dental school network. Working with the Council of Deans of Dental Schools of Thailand and Naresuan University, they designed approaches aligned with the specific challenges faced by dental schools.
These include promoting knowledge, understanding, and mental health skills; developing supportive environments, curricula, and teaching methods that benefit mental well-being; establishing mental health care mechanisms, counseling systems, and mental health monitoring; as well as developing best practices, mental health innovations, and collaborative networks.
'Mental health in education is critically important as it affects quality of life and learning. This workshop provides an excellent opportunity to develop dental school personnel from 19 institutions to effectively support their students, and the work will generate lessons that can be scaled and shared as knowledge for other organizations,' Dr. Pairojn said.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patcharpol Samneang from the Faculty of Dentistry at Naresuan University, who heads the mental health promotion and network strengthening project for dental schools, stated that mental health issues among dental students are a serious concern requiring all institutions' attention.
A survey of 4,255 dental students from 17 universities revealed a concerning mental health situation, with many students at risk who have never accessed mental health services, reflecting critical gaps in care systems and service accessibility.
Key stress factors for dental students stem from academic pressure, clinical training demands, social relationships within the learning community, and the intense educational environment, which directly affect academic achievement, quality of life, and students' mental well-being.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patcharpol stated that through this project, the Council of Deans of Dental Schools of Thailand aims to develop a comprehensive and sustainable mental health care system for dental school personnel and students.
The workshop included participation from 19 dental schools nationwide, aiming to strengthen the mental health care system.
