Mental health problems in Thai immigrants in Toronto, Canada

This study presents preliminary results on the level of mental health problems in a small community of immigrants from Thailand. Data for the study were derived from a pilot survey of adult Thai immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. Survey data were collected from a non-probability sample of 145 adults between January and May 2009. Using a threshold of 5/6 for GHQ-28, about 14% of the sample was considered at risk for psychiatric disorder or mental health problems. Acculturative stress significantly increased risk of psychiatric disorder, whereas social support and mastery significantly lowered risk of psychiatric disorder. Participants working multiple jobs and renting an accommodation also had an increased risk of psychiatric disorder. Community-based intervention programmes that focus on developing social support and personal mastery among Thai immigrants are recommended.