Dr Boonreung Traireungworarat, director general of the Public Health Ministry’s Mental Health Department, noted on Tuesday that many teens rely overly on their boyfriends and girlfriends for a sense of happiness. He announced the findings of a just-completed Rajanagarindra Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health survey of 2,100 students ages 11-19 in Bangkok and vicinity. Asked about Valentine’s Day, 39 per cent said it was an occasion to profess love, while 33 per cent felt indifferent about it. Parents, teachers and older relatives should cultivate those attitudes to help prevent risky behaviour, such as drug abuse, premature pregnancy, self-inflicted injury and suicide, he said. “Spending more time with your teens and giving importance to promoting their life skills and constructive activities will boost their self-esteem,” he said.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 13, 2018 06:11 UTC