HIGHLIGHTS

• From Reactive to Proactive Care: Led by Thammasat University and ThaiHealth, the project shifts mental health services from traditional clinical settings to proactive community engagement, breaking down barriers like the fear of stigmatization.
• Integrating Innovation into Daily Life: Utilizing tools such as the digital “Mental Health Check-In,” “Phuean Jai Cards,” and accessible social media content to seamlessly embed mental health screening and care into the routines of the younger generation.
• Powerful Cross-Institutional Networks: Dismantling institutional barriers by uniting seven universities in Pathum Thani and local health agencies to create “safe spaces” that foster mutual care at both peer-to-peer and community levels.
• National Excellence and Ongoing Commitment: After winning a national award for outstanding student mental health care in 2026, the project continues to translate policy into practical action through initiatives like the “Campus Mind-Sync” event to co-create a “University of Happiness.”

Stress, academic pressure, and the social adaptation of the younger generation constitute a public health challenge requiring immediate intervention. Traditional mental health services, which are predominantly reactive and confined to clinical settings or counselling rooms, often present barriers to access. These include the fear of stigmatization and a lack of awareness regarding personal warning signs. To address these structural issues, the Faculty of Public Health at Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), initiated the “Strengthening Mechanisms to Enhance Access to Mental Health Services and the ‘PhueanJai Pathum Thani’ Network” project.

What is “PhueanJai Pathum Thani”?

“PhueanJai Pathum Thani” is a proactive, area-based initiative aimed at promoting, preventing, and caring for the mental health of youth, university students, and the general public in Pathum Thani province. It focuses on developing a service system that proactively reaches individuals, integrates digital tools, and cultivates sustainable cross-institutional collaborative networks.

The operation is spearheaded by Assistant Professor Ronnapoom Samakkekarom, Project Chair and Advisor, who established three primary objectives:

1. Establishing proactive mechanisms and mental health service systems: Engaging target groups both within and outside educational institutions to bridge the accessibility gap.
2. Integrating mental health care innovations: Applying existing digital technologies and communication tools for preliminary assessment and screening.
3. Weaving a well-being partnership network: Fostering collaboration among higher education institutions, local administrative organizations, and specialized public health agencies.

A Paradigm Shift from Reactive Clinical Care to Proactive Daily Life Engagement

The project has designed three key instruments to ensure mental health care is practically integrated into daily life:

• Digital screening and surveillance system: Introducing the “Mental Health Check-In” online service, allowing target demographics to evaluate their stress and emotional states privately, rapidly, and securely.
• Immunity-building communication innovations: Designing “Phuean Jai Cards” to facilitate open conversations, alongside disseminating easily digestible content across popular social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. With over 2,000 current followers, this figure serves as a testament to the positive reception and seamless integration of these mental health tools into the daily routines of the younger generation.
• On-site screening: Conducting proactive screening activities for depression and stress within educational institutions and communities, whilst establishing a referral system to specialists upon detecting risk indicators. Notably, a mental health access promotion and well-being exhibition held in late 2025 garnered the participation of over 100 interested students and youth.

The Power of Cross-Institutional Networks: Uniting Universities and Localities

A defining strength of “PhueanJai Pathum Thani” is the dismantling of institutional barriers. It coordinates collaboration among Thammasat University, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Ratchaphruek University, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage, North Bangkok University, Bangkok University, and Pathumthani University, alongside local public health partners such as Mental Health Centre 4. Together, they construct “safe spaces” that foster mutual care, extending from peer-to-peer to community-to-community levels.

Quality Assurance: Advancing to National Excellence Awards

Based on empirical operational results, the project was awarded the “Outstanding University Network for Student Mental Health Care at Health Area 4 Level.” This success culminated in receiving the national “Outstanding University Network for Student Mental Health Care” award at the 1st Mental Health Care for All Expo, held on 5–6 August 2026 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

Moving Forward: Organising “Campus Mind-Sync” towards a University of Happiness

On 22 August 2026, the project hosted the event “Campus Mind-Sync: Uniting Hearts to Co-create a University of Happiness” at the SC3 Building, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, to translate policy into practical action. The event featured four core activities:

• Exchanging concepts on the Student Support System.
• Workshops on empathetic listening skills (Peer Support) and proper screening and referral protocols.
• Brainstorming sessions to analyse problems and design mental health solutions from the students’ perspective.
• Exhibitions of innovations and inspirational activity booths in collaboration with Mental Health Centre 4.

The “PhueanJai Pathum Thani” project marks a significant milestone for Thammasat University and its network partners in collaborating with public health agencies at both local and national levels to support comprehensive access to care services for students. These operations underscore the commitment to transforming the understanding of mental health into a vital life skill, thereby co-creating a society prepared to embrace and care for one another’s well-being sustainably.

Contact Information and Further Details

• Project Website: https://web1.fph.tu.ac.th/phueanjaicare
• Coordination Centre: Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Piyachart Building, 10th Floor, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12121
• Project Coordinator: Mr Phongpat Raijaroen (Pom) | Tel: 099-082-6156 | Email: phong.pop111@gmail.com
• Social Media: Linktree: www.linktr.ee/phueanjai_pt (LINE Official / FB / IG / TikTok: @phueanjai_pt)