When Kemjira Jehba was diagnosed with depression at age 12, her world became quiet. The kind of quiet where pain goes unnoticed and stigma speaks louder than understanding. It took years of therapy, self-reflection and courage for her to find her voice again. Now aged 20, she's using it to help build a world where mental health is not feared but understood.
 Jeyda, as she's known, is a second-year medical student at Prince of Songkla University. She is also one of the 35 young people selected to serve on Unicef Thailand's Young People Advisory Board (YPAB) for 2025/26 -- a platform launched by Unicef in 2021 to ensure youth voices actively shape policies and programmes that affect their lives. The YPAB brings together members from diverse backgrounds, including children living in urban and remote areas, stateless children and children with disabilities.  "Driving change has to be a collective effort," said Jeyda. "Being here made me realise I'm not alone. I met people who also want to create change in society and that gave me hope." 

Last month, Unicef hosted a three-day YPAB Leadership and Advocacy Camp in Bangkok. The camp brought together young leaders aged 14 to 22, chosen from over 400 applicants across Thailand. Over the course of workshops, discussions and community visits, the YPAB members explored key social issues -- including mental health, child protection, education, climate and participation -- while learning from national experts, Unicef staff and one another. 

For Jeyda, the experience was about more than just learning. It offered healing.  "One powerful lesson I gained was seeing the beauty in people -- not from how they look, but through their stories," she said. "Some shared things they had never told anyone before. That reminded me that everyone has value."She also learned just how deep the misunderstanding around mental health still runs. During a community visit in Bangkok, Jeyda spoke with teachers and adults who struggled to identify basic signs of depression. Some adults described depression as a form of "insanity"."That kind of language reflects how deeply misunderstood mental health still is," said Jeyda. "If adults don't understand it, how can children know if they are experiencing depression or when to ask for help?" As someone who has experienced both depression and bullying, Jeyda knows how isolating silence can be. She remembers the period of darkness that took away her joy in life. It wasn't until she found support -- from her family, from therapy, from within -- that she began to heal, a journey that took her four years.She wants to ensure other children don't have to wait that long.Together with fellow YPAB members, Jeyda is now advocating for a mental health support system in schools -- one that involves students, teachers, parents and school leaders. Her vision is not just reactive but preventive: creating awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring children know how and when to seek help.She's already seen the impact of early efforts. As a student council president, she helped introduce mental health awareness activities in her school.  "We found that children didn't know when to seek help or felt their problems were 'too small' to talk about," she said. "But after we raised awareness and shared more information about mental health, more students began reaching out and using the support services available."If Jeyda's focus is on inner resilience, then Palathip Pimsuwan's is on opportunity -- especially for those who have been left behind.Born in a rural community in Uttaradit province and raised by his grandmother after his father passed away, Palathip came close to dropping out of school himself."We had no income," he said. "I had to rely on scholarships to continue. None of my friends made it past Grade 9."Palathip is now 18 and has defied the odds. He is a Royal Award for Outstanding Students recipient, a provincial youth leader and the president of his Subdistrict Children's Council. Joining Unicef's Young People Advisory Board is another remarkable achievement."Many children in my community face various challenges such as financial problems, negative attitudes, low motivation, peer influence and much more," Palathip said. "I want to work towards addressing these issues and creating better opportunities for them."During the camp, Palathip visited a low-income community in Bangkok. Expecting to see children out of school, he was surprised to find the opposite."The community was incredibly strong," he said. "Even though families were not wealthy, the drop-out rate is almost zero. Everyone pitched in -- including the temple which offers scholarships -- to help make sure children stay in school."After the community visit, Palathip and other YPAB members shared their experience and their ideas for action with 13 prominent experts in different areas. That experience reshaped his thinking. Education, he realised, doesn't always happen in classrooms. It happens when communities come together and children and young people are given options."We talked with experts about how to prevent children from dropping out," he said. "But one thing I took away is that maybe some children leave school for valid reasons. Instead of forcing them back in, we can create new options for them."He now wants to help shift public perception: that self-learning, informal education and skills-based training should be seen as valid alternatives -- especially for children whose families can't afford for them to stay in school full time."This shift could open doors for so many," said Palathip. "And today, knowledge is everywhere. It's not limited to classrooms."For both Jeyda and Palathip, being part of YPAB is not just an opportunity, it's a mission."I want to be an inspiration for children who are afraid to speak up -- to be their voice and show them that recovery is possible, and that their dreams can come true, just like mine did," Jeyda said.The idea of youth as partners, not just participants, is central to Unicef's approach, said Ploynapat Jaroenkocharit, Adolescent Development Officer at Unicef Thailand. "Young people are experts in their own lives. When youth participate meaningfully, the work becomes more inclusive and responsive."Unicef works with partners to create safe spaces for children and young people, supporting their initiatives, and ensuring their voices influence policies and programmes, added Ploynapat. "At the same time, we also help adults learn to listen, engage and take action, because true participation only happens when adults are willing to share power."Assist Prof Panom Ketumarn, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who took part in the camp as an expert, agrees. "Young people are getting more involved in mental health issues, especially in schools and communities. With support from teachers and school systems, this engagement has started to grow. It's also sparking peer-to-peer learning -- both within schools and between them."As this new cohort of YPAB members begins its two-year journey, the momentum is already growing. Supported by Unicef, past cohorts have helped shape child rights initiatives, contributed to climate change and online safety campaigns, and influenced education reform. This generation is ready to build on that legacy.For Palathip, his mission is about making sure no child is left behind. "I will start by creating a network of parents and children in my community and help them gain access to the scholarship and the opportunities I've had."As for Jeyda, the mission is clear: "I build a world where everyone feels safe to be themselves." Originally published by Bangkok Post, filtered_html

Thailand's economy has surged. Its health care system is admired. Yet a silent killer is quietly stealing lives, straining hospitals, and sapping the nation's future. That killer is hypertension -- and it's hiding in plain sight. 
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called the "silent killer" for good reason. It creeps up with no symptoms, quietly damaging the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. It doesn't just hurt individuals and families -- it burdens our health system with avoidable costs and robs the economy of productivity through absenteeism and premature death.
The burden of hypertension in Thailand is already enormous and growing. One in four Thai adults has high blood pressure. Three out of four people with high blood pressure do not have it under control, putting them at risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia.Yet hypertension can be avoided and controlled, as other countries have shown.Twenty-five years ago, Thailand and South Korea were at the same starting point. Both countries had a blood pressure control rate of just 8%. Today, South Korea boasts the world's highest rate at 62%, while Thailand lags far behind at 23%. South Korea has managed to reduce its death rate from stroke by an astonishing 83%. In contrast, stroke remains the leading cause of death in Thailand, and a staggering 58% of strokes are attributed to uncontrolled blood pressure. Canada, Costa Rica, and other countries have also delivered comprehensive national hypertension programmes and shown notable improvements with control rates over 50%.The financial consequences of low hypertension control rates are severe. Treating complications from hypertension -- including stroke rehabilitation, heart surgeries, and lifelong dialysis -- is expensive. Thailand's universal health coverage (UHC) system absorbs much of this cost, but the economic toll from lost productivity, caregiving responsibilities, and long-term disability is also immense, particularly because one-third of hypertension-related deaths affect people below the age of 70. In a country proud of its health achievements, one must ask: why is a preventable and treatable condition allowed to wreak such havoc?Thailand has built an impressive health infrastructure. Its primary health care network is among the strongest in the region. The country provides free health care for all. There is a robust electronic health system and a highly trained health workforce. All the tools needed to address this hypertension crisis are available. But they are not used to full effect.Experience in South Korea and other countries shows us what's possible. There are three key lessons we can draw from their successes.First, Thailand should singularly focus on improving blood pressure control from the current level of 23% to at least 50%. While the country has already implemented universal blood pressure screening for all patients visiting a health facility, many patients with high blood pressure are not being linked to care and are slipping through the cracks. Thailand's million Community Health Volunteers can be used to not only support accurate blood pressure measurement at health facilities but also efforts to link people with hypertension to treatment and continuing care. At the same time, incentive structures could reward high-performing clinics that successfully control blood pressure.Second, research and experience in various countries show that simpler treatment protocols and combination pills help achieve better adherence and blood pressure control. If patients need to take fewer pills, or even a single pill, they are more likely to stay on treatment. The Thai Hypertension Society recommends a single-pill combination therapy in which two or more medications are combined into one pill. While these options can be more expensive, the benefits outweigh the costs.Third, prevention is just as important as diagnosis and treatment. Thailand has been recognised by the WHO for eliminating trans fat from its food system and for its efforts on obesity management. It is currently taking bold, commendable steps toward prevention: banning marketing of unhealthy food to children and introducing a salt tax -- a first for the region. Next, the country should consider promoting potassium-enriched, low-sodium condiments, which are proven to lower blood pressure at the population level. These public health measures will go a long way in steering people toward healthier choices, including to prevent and control hypertension.Thailand has a proud history of public health leadership. From slashing childhood mortality, to pioneering HIV prevention, to enacting some of the world's strongest tobacco control policies, the country has consistently shown that when it commits, it leads.But today, the biggest killers in Thailand -- stroke and heart disease -- are not being met with the urgency they demand. Hypertension is the common thread linking both.The solutions are known, the tools are available, and the time is now. On this World Hypertension Day, we urge Thailand to act decisively and ambitiously to control high blood pressure. Let's stop the silent killer before it claims more lives.Published to mark World Hypertension Day on 17 May, this op-ed is co-authored by Dr Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand, and Dr Renu Garg, Senior Vice President for Cardiovascular Health at Resolve to Save Lives., filtered_html

Bangkok, 22 April 2025 - UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand Michaela Friberg-Storey joined UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt on Tuesday at Government House for a courtesy call on H.E. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. They exchanged policy views on strengthening the current road safety framework, as the country continues to make strides in advancing road safety. Thailand is intensifying efforts to protect motorcyclists, who represent over 80 percent of those affected by traffic incidents, an initiative that enhances both public health and economic vitality. The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s ongoing focus on this issue, especially during high-risk periods like Songkran, and noted this year’s measurable decline in crashes.Todt praised recent helmet-promotion campaigns by the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, calling for nationwide adoption of standard-quality helmets. WHO data show that properly fitted motorcycle helmets can reduce the risk of death by nearly 40% and severe injury by up to 70%. He recommended that all motorcycle dealers provide a standard helmet with every sale and proposed Thailand adopt international helmet standards—potentially supported by tax incentives or reduced import duties to spur wider use. The Prime Minister welcomed the proposals as well as on consulting relevant agencies on the next steps.Both sides conveyed their eagerness to engage civil society and the private sector. Plans include appointing prominent Thai and global artists as road safety ambassadors alongside international figures to champion a comprehensive, nationwide campaign. Also present at the meeting was WHO Representative to Thailand Dr. Jos Vandelaer; Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt; Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit; and Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control. , filtered_html

Bangkok, 21 April 2025 - This Monday, Michaela Friberg‑Storey, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand, joined Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, and Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, to launch the “Safe and Affordable Helmets” Initiative. In the handover ceremony at Bangkok City Hall, they distributed the first 102 of 2,106 UN‑certified helmets pledged to students across Bangkok, underscoring a shared commitment to improving road safety for the city’s schoolchildren. The event brought together high-level representatives from key institutions and partners, including Michaela Friberg-Storey, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand; Dr. Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand; Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul; Pol. Gen. Kriboon Suadsong, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. Civil society representatives, school administrators, and student beneficiaries also joined the ceremony. The initiative aims to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by road traffic accidents by increasing access to high-quality, certified helmets, particularly for children and adolescents who are among the most vulnerable road users. The campaign is part of Thailand’s broader commitment to improving road safety and contributes to the global goal of achieving zero road fatalities. The launch follows Mr. Todt’s visit to Thailand in November 2024, where he observed a student road safety programme at Chimpli School, hosted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). During that visit, Khunying Patama announced the donation of over 2,000 helmets for students in need, with the BMA committed to ensuring equitable distribution across schools in Bangkok. This partnership reflects the strong collaboration between local authorities, the UN, and civil society in advancing road safety for Thailand’s youth and creating safer journeys for future generations—all working toward a shared goal of “Zero Road Fatalities.”, filtered_html