Promoting Wellness for Thai College Students

Promoting Wellness for Thai College Students Paul Ratanasiripong (bio) and Adrian Rodriguez (bio) College students in Thailand experience health and mental health issues that impact their wellness—the condition of good physical, mental, and emotional health. The health profile of Thai college students is shaped by weight, sexual practices, and substance use. Many Thai college students develop health-related problems due to their weight or perceptions of being overweight (Wardle, Haase, & Steptoe, 2006). Limited knowledge and inaccurate perceptions regarding safe sex practices have increased the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases for this population (Tangmunkongvorakul, Kane, & Wellings, 2005). Furthermore, substance use has been found to be high among Thai college students who experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse as children (Jirapramukpitak, Prince, & Harpham, 2005). The mental health profile of Thai college students is shaped by stress, anxiety, and negative thinking, which can lead to depression (Charoensuk, 2007; Ross et al., 2005). Among Thai college students, depression often leads to substance abuse and suicidal ideation (Boonyamalik, 2005). Thailand is a newly industrialized country with 67 million people. Economic development over the last 30 years has led to an increase in industrial jobs, a growth of urban population, and a larger middle class. As a result, more Thai citizens have been able to attend college (Craven & Hawks, 2006; Yoshihara, 1998). Although Thai parents typically view education as a marker for higher status and encourage their children to pursue higher education, less than 10% of the population has a college degree. Each year, the higher education system in Thailand educates approximately 3.4 million students at 2,200 public and private universities, and technical, vocational, and community colleges (Ministry of Education, 2005). University admission requirements include entrance exams for high school seniors. Research has indicated that Thai college students currently underutilize available campus and community health and mental health services (Christopher, Skillman, Kirkhart, & D’Souza, 2006). To increase students’ awareness of, and trust in, health and mental health services, studies have recommended that universities utilize students’ social support systems and create community collaboration (Christopher et al., 2006; Ross et al., 2006). But, no studies have provided a comprehensive model of how to utilize available resources within the Thai colleges to meet the growing health and mental health needs of the students. Universities and colleges in Thailand provide academic advising and some student support services, but only select colleges also provide health services. Very few provide [End Page 217] counseling and psychological services with trained psychologists and therapists to address the mental health needs of Thai students. Since most Thai universities do not currently employ such professionals, it is important that faculty, staff, and administrators promote positive mental health and establish collaborations with community mental health service providers to make appropriate referrals and ensure students’ health and mental health needs are met. There is also a lack of communication and collaboration among Thai universities, parents, community leaders, and health service center workers regarding ways to effectively address student needs. Health Issues for Thai College Students As they are young, urban and educated, Thai college students are considered trendsetters for Thailand regarding eating habits and lifestyle behaviors (Banwell et al., 2009). The choices they make have a lasting impact on the wellness norms of Thai society. Due to fast-paced lifestyles, increased affluence, and communal student dwellings, many Thai college students consume more fast food, abuse alcohol, and engage in unsafe sexual practices which increase their health risks (Tangmunkongvorakul et al., 2005). It is crucial to educate and influence this population on healthy lifestyle choices, as their identities are shaped by and influence these health-risk activities. Economic development in Thailand has also led to greater access to Westernized fatty and sugary foods, which has led to an increase in overweight and obese individuals in Thailand in recent years, where 43% of adult women and 23% of adult men are overweight or obese (Aekplakorn et al., 2004; Craven & Hawks, 2006). The problems with obesity in Thailand are compounded by the culture’s emphasis on being thin. Due to this cultural preference for thinness, many Thai college students are undernourished and have a body mass index lower than the normal range, which increases their risk of potentially...