Bangkok:The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and the National Health Security Office (NHSO), is set to introduce "Electronic Mental Health Rooms" in 100 pilot schools starting this November.
According to Thai News Agency, this initiative is part of a broader effort to develop a telepsychiatry system aimed at providing early access to mental health care for students, teachers, and educational personnel. The project, also involving the Ministry of Public Health and the Social Security Office, seeks to prevent violence in schools and improve mental health support.
The collaboration was initiated through discussions among key figures, including Mr. Prasert Chantharawongthong, Minister of Education, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, and Dr. Jadet Thammathacharee, Secretary-General of the NHSO. They aim to create a systematic approach to mental health services by linking the entitlements of various agencies to ensure continuous support for those in need.
The pilot project will commence with the establishment of these electronic mental health rooms, one of which is already underway at Suankularb Wittayalai Nonthaburi School. The rooms will use telepsychiatry to allow psychologists and psychiatrists to provide online assessments and counseling, thus enhancing access to expert mental health care.
Teachers are also set to receive training to help them identify early warning signs and screen for mental health risks, focusing on those at green and yellow risk levels. A referral system will be developed in collaboration with the NHSO and the Ministry of Public Health to ensure specialized treatment is accessible when needed.
The initiative also includes integrating health benefits between the National Health Security System and the Social Security System, thus supporting insured students, teachers, and educational personnel in accessing screening, counseling, and treatment services According toir entitlements.
The official launch of this comprehensive mental health campaign is scheduled for early November 2026, aiming to raise awareness and encourage proactive mental health management in schools. The program emphasizes the importance of having a robust mental health care system in educational settings to prevent issues from affecting students' education, work, and safety.