Bangkok, May 1 – The Department of Mental Health is concerned about people receiving news of continued violence that causes social distrust. Accelerate communication, focus on mental health knowledge. self care and family Advise to learn from the news appropriately. Prevent both panic and escalation of plagiarism.
Today (May 1, 2023), the Department of Mental Health clarified that the diagnosis of psychiatric patients requires history taking. Have a thorough mental examination with a professional doctor. Analysis of the perpetrators as psychiatric patients cannot be identified solely based on news information. while the media should present appropriately Do not emphasize the details of behavior or violent incidents that cause trauma to the family involved and people who consume news continuously. In addition, some vulnerable people may be taken as examples or imitated.
Dr. Amporn Benjaphon Phithak Director-General of the Department of Mental Health said news of many murder suspects in a few years. causing society to doubt whether the accused has a psychiatric disorder or not. Medical diagnosis must go through a process of history taking, physical examination, and mental examination. by a psychiatrist or medical professional It cannot rely solely on information or behavior that appears in the media to make a diagnosis. In addition, the facts of the illness are patients’ secrets that cannot be disclosed to the public. However, being a patient of a psychiatric hospital does not mean having a severe psychiatric disorder only because people in general can receive treatment with some minor mental health problems From insomnia, stress, to severe mental health problems Therefore, the illness data must be carefully analyzed and assembled.
Dr. Amporn further said What is worrisome lately is that violent news content tends to overwhelm the public. Consuming news that lacks judgment and consciousness Until it was as if the brutal violence was very close to him. can lead to paranoia of close people and those around them Fear of what will happen to you Becomes panic and affects the relationship of the person. Another important thing to be aware of. is to receive repeated information may cause numbness to the situation fantasies of violent behavior or can be imitated especially when presenting the news with the mention of the name Gives a lot of detail on how to cause the incident. It takes a long time to describe and colorful like a drama. may make a group of people who are sensitive Vulnerable or those who are experiencing pressure that accumulates negative emotions or has a pre-existing antisocial base Instead, they saw this misguided act as an alternative to solving their own life problems.
Another impact of news coverage to be aware of is interviews with the families of perpetrators or victims. or digging into problems that arise without boundaries also creates mental scars on the people around the perpetrator Some news releases personal information to the public. As a result, personal living conditions or relationships with loved ones may be affected. And can cause regret or problems that affect living in the future as well
Therefore, the Department of Mental Health has a surveillance to take care of close people affected by the incident. and advising the public to receive aggressive communications at an appropriate level. Do not spend time in front of TV screens or online media, the Internet for many hours in a row until feeling gloomy. Consider getting advice on mental health problems from someone you trust, reliable, aware without panic. If you are very worried, you can call the Mental Health Hotline 1323, available 24 hours a day.-Thai News Agency
Source: Thai News Agency