The Cabinet, during its meeting on 6 May 2025, approved the designation of May each year as “Mind Month,” following a proposal by the Ministry of Public Health, which is aware of the impacts of mental health on social, emotional, and physical well-being.

The Cabinet also assigned the Department of Mental Health to work with various agencies in launching campaigns for good mental health, in line with the international practice for “Mental Health Awareness Month,” which has been observed in May in the United States, Canada, and some European countries.

The Ministry of Public Health stressed the importance of mental health, saying that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

It pointed out that the mental health problem in Thailand is becoming more serious, and it is a cause of disability and premature death, as well as affecting people’s quality of life. Therefore, the public, private, and people’s sectors need to work closely together to deal effectively with this problem.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on 6 May presided over the launching of Mind Month at Santi Maitri Building, Government House. The Prime Minister said that family relationships play a crucial role in enhancing mental wellness. Being mentally healthy contributes to the better quality of life of all age groups. The Government, therefore, includes mental health as part of the national agenda.

The Prime Minister stated that the Government would strengthen the mental healthcare system, starting at the community level and continuing in schools and workplaces, with an emphasis on prevention, promotion, treatment, and rehabilitation.

It also has a policy to establish 37 mental health counseling centers in May 2025, and the number will increase to 340 by the end of the year, so that more than one million people in the country will receive better care in mental health.