Nightmares, sleepless nights and suicidal tendencies afflict locals: study

The violence in the three Southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat is giving local people sleepless nights and recurring nightmares, leading to severe mental problems.

The grim statistics are revealed in a recent report of the Public Health Ministry.

The chief of Department of Mental Health, Dr Somchai Chakrabhand, says tests had been conducted in the three provinces to monitor the mental health of people living in the area.

Nightmares

The report shows that 36 per cent had recurring nightmares, 25 per cent could not sleep properly, 19 per cent were permanently scarred, while many were left confused, uncomfortable, had breathing difficulties, felt angry, wanted to hurt other people, or commit suicide.

Narathiwat province is the area most at risk with 44 per cent having severe mental problems, followed by Pattani and Yala provinces.

The Public Health Ministry recently set up mental health rehabilitation centres at 35 community hospitals in the three provinces to help the people.

Deputy Minister of Public Health Chavarat Chanverakul said about 200 psychologists would be on hand to help.

Somchai has also assigned the 15th Mental Health Centre, which conducted the tests, to offer guidelines to help people who are facing psychological problems.