"Kardee" reflects a mother's heart, urging the government to urgently solve youth mental health issues, revealing that nearly 18% of high school students have suicidal thoughts. The tragedy is underscored by two of her daughter's school friends ending their lives within a short time of each other.
On 6 May 2026 at the Parliament, Dr. Kardee Liaopairoj, a party-list MP from the Democrat Party, raised the issue that two of her daughter's friends tragically took their own lives in close succession. She urged the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to promptly upgrade mental health policies at the operational level. She shared worrying statistics showing that 17.6% of high school students have considered suicide and stressed the urgent need to increase psychologists in educational institutions.
Dr. Kardee brought up the fragility of Thai youth mental health in a discussion with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stating this is not just an individual problem but a structural crisis that adults in society must urgently resolve.
Dr. Kardee revealed a heartbreaking story from her personal circle: her daughter informed her that two of her school friends had decided to end their lives within a close timeframe. This highlights the increasing severity of stress among teenagers leading to irreversible loss. Although the Department of Mental Health has established MOUs and policies, the results on the ground remain insufficient. Among 18-24-year-olds, depression rates reach 26.9%, and 17.6% of high school students admit to seriously considering suicide. Pressures stem from academics, social media peer pressure, and economic conditions that transfer family stress to children.
Dr. Kardee further addressed Parliament, noting that in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month (Mind Month), she calls on the Ministers of Public Health, Education, and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to elevate support measures as follows: 1. Implement targeted policies that go beyond signing MOUs to ensure rapid and serious operational access; 2. Increase personnel by funding and assigning more guidance counselors and psychologists to every school and university; 3. Raise public awareness and understanding to reduce stigma against those with mental health issues.