Once every two hours, a Thai takes their own life, and every 9.55 minutes, one attempts suicide, according to the latest set of statistics on mental health in Thailand.
"These figures are gravely worrying and the government is paying huge attention to them. We need to place a lot more emphasis on this problem. Society needs to look around for those who need help. We must not leave anyone behind," Traisulee Traisoranakul, a deputy government spokeswoman, said during the opening of the "Mental Health Thailand, No One Must Be Left Behind" campaign.
Suicide now ranks second among causes of unnatural death in Thailand, following road accidents, and exceeds both manslaughter and murder.
The campaign is designed to coincide with National Mental Health Week, which runs in the first week of November each year.
The Department of Mental Health is holding a mental health fair on Saturday and Sundayat The Nine Center Rama 9.