Mental Health Supports for Expats in Thailand: Online Services & Hotline
Taking care of your mental health as an expat in a new country can be challenging. Whether you’re living in Thailand or often traveling for work, language barriers, cultural differences, and being away from your loved ones can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Are you an expat in Thailand looking to ensure maximum mental wellbeing while in Thailand? This Pacific Prime Thailand article explores where you can find mental health support for expats in Thailand.
Mental Health Supports in Thailand
There are many reasons why people develop mental health conditions or experience mental health problems. Common factors that influence mental health include:
- Social isolation or loneliness
- Severe or long-term stress
- Substance abuse or misuse
No matter the reason, it’s important to seek help so you can start to feel better. Remember there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. In fact, mental health checkups for your psychiatric health and emotional wellbeing are just as important as physical health checkups.
The following are some of the best resources in Thailand for expats dealing with mental health issues.
The Samaritans of Thailand
If you’re feeling depressed, lonely, or suicidal, The Samaritans of Thailand have an English hotline that you can call daily at 02 113 6789 (Press 2). The free service gives you access to staff who are trained in suicide prevention, though you don’t have to be suicidal to benefit from the hotline.
Simply talking to someone can make a big difference, especially someone who is trained to listen carefully while you share your problems.
Once you leave a voicemail on the English hotline, a staff member will call you back within 24 hours. You don’t have to give your real name since the service is anonymous.
Bangkok Hospital
The Bangkok Mental Health Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (BMRC) at Bangkok Hospital focuses on treating, diagnosing, and rehabilitating patients with mental health issues.
In the event of a life-threatening mental health crisis, it’s best to go straight to the emergency room of an international hospital and ask to see the psychiatrist on duty.
Bangkok Hospital (along with Manarom Hospital mentioned below) has mental health services and facilities for these situations including inpatient care, outpatient services, day programs, and counseling.
Manarom Hospital
Manarom Hospital is a leading private hospital that specializes in mental and behavioral healthcare in Thailand. The hospital offers a wide variety of mental health services, including adult psychiatry and day programs for individuals and groups.
The multidisciplinary staff are trained in dealing with an array of mental health conditions and concerns including substance abuse, family problems, PTSD, and behavioral problems.
Psychological Services International (PSI)
Psychological Services International (PSI) is a Bangkok-based mental health provider that has been offering counseling, therapy, and assessment services to expats since 2001.
Counselors at PSI are trained as psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers, which means they can also help if you’re looking for medication for a mental health condition. Staff at PSI speak English, French, and Thai.
PSI serves clients outside of the capital city through online services as well.
New Counseling Service (NCS)
The only fully licensed counseling center in Bangkok, the New Counseling Service (NCS) provides mental health services, counseling, and training to expats and locals alike.
Operating for over 20 years, NCS offers support for a wide range of mental health issues from anxiety and depression to crisis intervention and grief counseling. Staff at NCS speak many languages aside from Thai and English, including Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Dutch.
Mental Health Emergency Tips
If you feel like you need help with your mental health concern, the first step you can take is to call the Samaritans. Remember that it is a callback service, so you will hear from them within 24 hours.
The next thing you want to do is see a counselor as soon as possible. Email one of the aforementioned counseling centers (PSI and NCS) or a provider of your choice and let them know that you’re looking for help as soon as possible.
However, if you’re in a life-threatening crisis, visit the psychiatrist on duty at an international hospital right away. Hospitals will ask you for insurance or payment, but don’t let that stop you from putting your health first.
While the previously mentioned Bangkok and Manarom Hospitals have dedicated psychiatrist units, any psychiatrist can help in an emergency.
Caring for Your Mental Health: What You Can Do
In the meantime, you will be happy to know that maintaining your mental health is something anybody can do with simple changes to your lifestyle, like following a healthy diet plan, incorporating certain activities, and more. Below are some key tips for caring for your mental health:
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- Staying Hydrated and Eating Healthy: Drinking plenty of water and following a healthy diet plan can help improve your energy and focus during the day. While caffeine helps you remain alert, excessive intake can affect your mood and disrupt sleep.
- Regular Exercise: Doing something as simple as getting at least half an hour’s worth of walking daily can help boost your mood and increase your overall well-being. What’s more, doing small exercises allows you to progressively add up over time to further boost your health.
- Hobbies and Relaxing Activities: Taking part in relaxing activities,s such as relaxation programs or using associated apps can help you unwind through techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises. You can also pursue hobbies like music, reading, or spending time in nature.
- Get Enough Sleep: Adhere to a sleep schedule and make sure to get enough sleep. Beyond caffeine intake, blue light from phone or tablet screens also makes it difficult for you to get enough sleep, so make sure to turn them off before you get your much-deserved shut eye.
- Setting Goals and Priorities: Take the time to define your goals and priorities by breaking down your bulk of tasks into what needs to be done immediately and what you can delay for the time being.
- Positivity and Gratitude: Focus on positivity by identifying and eliminating any of your negative thoughts. You can also remind yourself of daily things you are grateful for and express your thanks for them every day.
- Remaining in Touch: Remember you are not alone. If you are facing any hardships, you can always reach out to friends and family for emotional support. Additionally, your friends and family may also be able to further recommend mental health treatment like the facilities mentioned earlier.
If you experience any of the following distressing symptoms that persist for two weeks or more, don’t hesitate to seek professional help as quickly as possible:
- Sleep difficulties and disruptions.
- Appetite changes and sudden weight changes.
- Difficulties waking up in the morning due to mood.
- Concentration difficulties.
- Loss of interest in what you usually enjoy.
- Inability to complete your usual tasks.
- Irritability or frustration.
Helping Someone with Mental Health
If you have a relative or friend who’s going through mental health issues, you will be happy to know you can lend them a helping hand with a little empathy. Below are some key tips for helping someone with mental health issues:
- Set Time Aside with Zero Distractions: If they need to discuss with you, make sure you’re setting aside your time with no distractions and provide a safe, non-judgmental space for them. Additionally, don’t pressure the person to talk about something they aren’t ready to disclose.
- Listen Attentively: When they are venting out with you, make sure you listen attentively so the person can safely disclose any of their mental health concerns and trust that you won’t judge them for it.
- Don’t Jump to Conclusions: Since you’re already listening attentively in a non-judgmental, unbiased manner, make sure you do not jump to conclusions and make assumptions about the person’s ongoing mental health issues.
Further reading:
Insurance for Mental Health Services
Whether your insurance plan covers psychiatric care depends on your exact policy. If your health insurance plan does cover these services, you’ll likely have to wait before you can use it to visit a psychiatrist due to waiting periods.
Note that travel insurance typically doesn’t cover mental health issues. Similarly, international health insurance in Thailand may require co-payments for mental health services. Your best bet is to secure a comprehensive insurance plan that covers all of your costs when visiting a psychiatrist.
Be sure to carefully research your options to ensure you can access all the services you’re after.
How Pacific Prime Thailand Can Help
Selecting the right health insurance plan can be overwhelming. That’s why many expats turn to us for help. With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Pacific Prime Thailand can compare health insurance plans for your needs and budget.
We are happy to assist you in finding the best expat health insurance in Thailand or any other type of health insurance plan.
Contact us for unbiased advice and a free quote today.
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