Out of weakness heroes are born with Buddy Thai App against bullying

Out of weakness heroes are born with Buddy Thai App against bullying

“I decided to commit suicide with scissors in my chest after repeated bullying at school without teachers or parents acknowledgment,” revealed a high schooler perceived among her peers as a secluded person. Although all she did was enjoy drawing, she stood out from louder and more outgoing peers. The situation reflects severe conditions in Thai society these days where bullying nationwide ranks second in the world after Japan.

Is it a culture of suppression causing emotional breakdowns? Or is it a ‘follow the herd of sheep’ mentality? The roots of the problem may be caused by many factors. Much depends on lacking the courage to fight back of bullied targets, inability to find an outlet to shine for the persecutors, and there being no heroes to eliminate the villains. That leaves bullying as an outrage that violates the mental state and has physical effects of dismaying prey before they are enlightened. 

Lack of self-assessment in metal health is one of the vital elements heaping on pressure, causing mental problems such as depression that can lead to unhealthy adulthood, self-harm and suicide attempts. 

“Buddy Thai” application created as a solution for bullying issues has been launched by a collaboration between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Rajanagarindra Institute (CAMRI), Department of Mental Health, and Thoresen Thai Agencies Public Company Limited (TTA Group). 

“BuddyThai Application is designed to help bullied children and youths and even adults by offering counselling services and mental health assessment,” revealed Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, Managing Director and CEO of TTA. “The BuddyThai Application isn’t only helpful for enhancing mental immunity, but also gives schools, teachers, parents, and psychologists the chance to monitor and give immediate help to bullied children and youths whose mental health can be severely affected.”

Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), commented that, “Rising numbers of Thai citizens, especially teenagers, attend psychotherapy to cope with their depression and bullying is a key source of the stress and dilemmas behind that. As such, under the BMA territory of authority, we have been implementing networks addressing this trend with affiliated schools nationwide as well as other schools.” 

BuddyThai Application features and functions are designed to accompany and serve as a trusted friend and advisor for children and youths in three distinctive areas as follows:

1. Psychologist Counselling Service request: Children and youths can contact 1323 Hotline of the Department of Mental Health with just one click. Alternatively, they can chat via Facebook with a psychologist from the Department of Mental Health. A psychologist and a volunteer at LoveCare Station of Path2Health Foundation or the BuddyThai App on Facebook are also options for services. 

2. Emotional Quotient (EQ) self-assessment function: Mental monitor assessment and knowledge packages with exercises covering life skills for children and youths and advice on how to learn and how to cope with life situations when encountering bullying situations. Suggestions by reliable psychologists are provided.

3. Daily emotions record system: Children and youths can record their own emotions and reasons every day, several times a day. The emotions data is recorded and collated into weekly and monthly statistics. Children and youths can check the tendency of their emotions and the reasons behind them. Emotional management techniques are also available for self-study. If any child or youth continuously records his or her stress or depression for a week and shows any indications to commit suicide, the admin team will monitor them closely. The team may notify the school, teachers or hotline psychologists about the issue for active contact.

“Very often, students are reluctant to tell anyone or consult with friends, teachers or parents because they feel they are being watched by those bullying them. Therefore, problem-solving is delayed. Some youths are stressed, depressed and helpless. The BuddyThai Application can be a channel for these victims to record their emotional status and get help. It is also a way for mental health specialists to actively help children in need, leading to a reduction in bullying problems and future effects,” confirmed Dr Dusit Likkhanaphichitkun, expert, Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. 

None of us are born with self-respect or leadership traits but out of weakness heroes can emerge through pain and learning to survive. Self-esteem can be grown and people can learn how to enjoy being who they are. While struggling on the path of self-discovery, help and good advice from trusted sources are worthwhile tools to counter pain. BuddyThai Application channel is now open for requests for help and support for mental health. 

Download free now at (QR code), compatible for iOS and Android.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (1)