'I am a new graduate who has been looking for a job for several months but haven't received any response yet. I feel depressed. Am I the only one who experiences this?"
This is one of several questions that young people posted on "Club Wellness" at facebook.com/groups/clubwellnessthailand. Established by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health), Club Wellness is a closed group on Facebook that aims to be a safe space for young people who want to ask questions, share problems and receive advice from others.
According to a survey of 6,771 young people aged 15 to 19 from 77 provinces in Thailand by Unicef and the Children and Youth Council of Thailand conducted last year, 70% of young respondents are stressed and worried about their studies and 40% of the respondents want to find a way to cope with their stress. To help young people solve their problems, "Club Wellness" was set up so youngsters do not feel that they are alone.
Benjamaporn Limpisathian, assistant manager of Thai Health, said that stress can cause mental disorders.
"If young people do not cope with their stress properly, they tend to be at risk of mental disorders. Club Wellness is a space where young members can exchange their experiences and encourage other members so that they can feel relief and go on with their lives.
Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution, each member must read through the comments and figure out which ones are appropriate for their situation by themselves," said Benjamaporn.
For those who want to consult with mental health professionals, a group administrator will advise chatting online with specialists through lovecarestation.com.
