Talking about mental health

Older generations often brushed stress aside with ไม่เป็นไร or ปล่อยวาง, and Buddhist ideas of mindfulness (สติ) and letting go remain a common source of comfort. Younger Thais increasingly talk openly about โรคซึมเศร้า (depression) and หมดไฟ (burnout), and seeing a psychiatrist is becoming less stigmatised, especially in cities. Public hospitals have psychiatry departments, private hospitals offer English-speaking care, and the Department of Mental Health runs a free 24-hour hotline, 1323. If a friend opens up, listening and saying เป็นกำลังใจให้นะ means a lot. If you're struggling yourself, you don't have to cope alone.