BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
Our project team studied research findings on the relationships between good health and the way we live – often referred to as “lifestyle”. The data clearly indicate the general public in Thailand are experiencing increases in health problems due mainly to unhealthy daily habits. This suggests a lack of understanding of how healthier lifestyles can and will improve our own well-being.
The Community Promotion Foundation is dedicated to promoting quality of life through healthier lifestyles. We believe a greater understanding and awareness of three basic areas of healthier living will inspire individuals and families to adopt and practice healthier lifestyles. The three basics are: eating habits (nutrition), our activities (fitness) and rest/relaxation (restoration). In these three basics of life, we hold the keys to better health and quality of life.
Our mission is to offer healthful guidelines for practicing healthier lifestyles in these three basic areas of daily living. We know habits are not easy to change, yet we hope through our foundation’s work, and with the generous support of our sponsors, we can make a meaningful contribution in improving the health and well-being of Thai society.
A SPECIAL FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
Community Promotion Foundations is putting special emphasis on mental health. We call it the “Power of Mental Health” because with a strong mind, we know the body will follow. The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics states that more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression and Thailand ranks among the world with a suicide rate of up to 6 people per 100,000 population. The Thailand Department of Mental Health found that 53,000 people attempt to commit suicide annually, an average of 6 people per hour with about 4,000 confirmed suicides. In 2018, the suicide rate was 6.11, increased from 2017 which had the rate of 6.03. Males had more than four times the suicide rate than females. The age range with the highest number of suicides of Males are between 35-39 years, while females are between 50-54 years. While there are multiple causes, including the tragic impacts of Covid-19, lifestyle choices also contribute.
For symptoms of depression, the initial symptoms are:
- Anger or irritability
- Lost interests in daily activities
- Appetite or weight changes
- Sleep changes
- Loss of energy
- Moving or speaking more slowly than usual
- Concentration problems
- Self-loathing
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
Our main objectives are threefold:
- Promote healthier lifestyles choices that impact mental and emotional health both in the home and in the school.
- Reduce incidences of child and domestic abuse, bullying, depression and attempted suicides.
- Provide consultation to those seeking immediate help with mental health and emotional problems.
We believe the “root causes” of mental health problems are lifestyle related, and so the solutions to many of these problems are a matter of personal choice and responsibility.
STRATEGIES TO MEET OUR OBJECTIVES
We intend to pursue two main strategies to meet these objectives. First, we will offer seminars to the general public and in schools, presented by professionals in the fields of education, nutrition, fitness and mental health. These sessions will raise awareness on mental health matters and motivate individuals and families to adopt healthier habits and instill discipline to resist ‘backsliding’ into poor habits. Second, we intend to offer free consultation to citizens who need help from professionals in dealing with their immediate emergent mental or emotional difficulties.
THE EXPECTED RESULTS OF THIS PROJECT
The projects will be deemed successful if it meets these expectations:
- Increases awareness of how life-style choices in the home & school environments have direct impact of one’s state of emotional and mental health.
- Deepen one’s understanding to how nutrition, fitness and rest directly affects one’s quality of emotional and mental health.
- Stress how parents and teachers can and must foster safe and supportive environments for children’s healthy emotional development.
- Promote guidelines and keys that give helpful instruction on how to adopt healthier health habits and safer environments at home and school.
- Promote discipline to instill better health habits that continue far into the future.