Originating the DMIND Application
Statistics from the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health are a clear indication that Thailand is faced with the problem of depression leading to suicidal tendencies at a worrisome rate. In 2021, at least 1.5 million Thais were identified as suffering from clinical depression, and out of a hundred patients, only 28 had access to treatment whereas the rate of those attempting suicide is around 6 persons per hour. Statistics also show that patients suffering from depression are 20 times more successful in their suicide attempts than the average person, while 70 % of these patients meet an untimely death. It has been predicted that in 18 years, depression will be the world’s highest form of illness demanding medical attention.
From the statistics and reasons mentioned here, psychiatrists who are now at the forefront in dealing with the situation such as Associate Professor Solaphat Hemrungrojn, M.D. from the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University hope that some form of innovation can be developed to address this problem. thailand universities
Associate Professor Solaphat, M.D. shared with us that she “…had the opportunity to talk to other psychiatrists, some of whom work for the Department of Mental Health and there seems to be a common problem we all encounter with a significant rise in the number of patients suffering from depression. Even if we try to increase the number of practitioners in this field it is still insufficient. We can see from the news where film stars or celebrities are suffering from depression and yet, in reality, there are so many others who aren’t well known but they too are faced with depression and some decide to put an end to their own lives. This is a problem that worries those of us who are in this profession and has led us to try to find a way to deal with it more effectively.”
Depression is treatable but first and foremost, we need to provide the opportunity for all patients to have access to the treatment they need.
“From the way things are at present, even if hospitals were to expand their OPDs or sections to cope with the volume of patients that still won’t be possible. In some provinces hospitals now see a rise to as many as 200 – 300 patients a day. This is already discounting the fact that there are also those without access or those who dare not go to the hospital for treatment. We all know that the Department of Mental Health offers a hotline where one can ask for consultation with a psychologist who can provide initial screening and from what I have heard the number of those assigned to this task is certainly inadequate since there are sometimes thousands of callers waiting for their turn to air their problems. A large number of people cannot avail of this service and this means they can become a suicide risk. How is one to know which caller on which line needs urgent help? Is there some form of technology that might solve this problem?” Dr. Solaphat poses this crucial question.
Due to her expertise in psychiatry, Associate Professor Solaphat, M.D. recognizes the signs one usually identifies with depression that can be detected by way of a person’s voice, words, and facial expressions. Some kind of equipment that can help in this analysis would certainly be helpful. And this is how the DMIND application came about – an innovation that is the result of collaboration between Chula’s Faculties of Medical Science, Engineering, the Department of Mental Health, the Ministry of Public Health with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and Agnos Health Co. Ltd. The D in DMIND being short for Depression.
Comentarios