Mind First Aid Knowledge Sharing Seminar

Sati App is moving forward in expanding the role of Mind First Aid through its participation in the “Mind First Aid Knowledge Sharing Seminar”

This project was a collaboration between the Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (TIMS), the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, the Rajsuda Institute, the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Sati App, Young Good Governance, and MasterPeace. Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of ThaiHealth, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of creating an accessible and inclusive mental health care system.

The core of this event was to reflect on the outcomes of “Mind First Aid,” a course that Sati App helped develop and disseminate, enabling people with disabilities to assume a more active role as “Mind First Aiders”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Theerapat Ungsuchaval, advisor to the Mind First Aid project and executive board member of the Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (TIMS), participated in a discussion on the curriculum development process to create Mind First Aiders who are “ready to listen with understanding.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Amornthep Sachamuneewongse, founder of Sati App, presented the origins and design process of the Mind First Aid curriculum, which integrates psychological knowledge from experts with real-world listening experience from volunteers. The curriculum was designed and developed to meet the needs of all groups, especially people with disabilities.

In addition, Ms. Methawee Thatsanasateankit, head of the project, presented the project’s empirical results from research showing that the Mind First Aid curriculum significantly enhances listening skills, assessment of emotional vulnerability, and basic care for people with disabilities. It also increases their confidence in performing as the “front line” of mental health care in organizations and communities.

At the same time, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jennifer Chavanovanich, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, also participated. Chulalongkorn University and the TIMS Executive Board invited participants to explore the role of Mind First Aid in an organizational context, emphasizing that a network of systematically trained listeners helps create an organizational culture conducive to psychological safety and early prevention of mental health issues.

Another key highlight was the panel discussion on “Mind First Aiders,” moderated by Kantaporn Suensilpong from MasterPeace, with Thamawat Sutthipong and Mariam Makabu sharing their direct experiences from training and practical work as Mental First Aiders within organizations via the Sati Application. Their stories reflect the potential of people with disabilities to effectively provide mental health support, reinforcing the important lesson that sustainable care for others begins with maintaining strong self-care.

Sati App, as a co-developer and driving force behind the learning process, reaffirms its commitment to expanding the Mind First Aid knowledge base to reach a wider range of groups through technology and a network of qualified listeners, making Mind First Aid a fundamental skill accessible to all.

The results of this project clearly demonstrate that “people with disabilities are not merely recipients of assistance.” “But it can be a vital force in healing the hearts of those around them.” At the same time, building a network of active listeners who act as the front line in caring for and preventing initial mental health issues demonstrates the potential to concretely improve the mental well-being of Thai society.

Sati App would like to thank our partners for allowing us to be a part of creating something positive for society this time, and we thank the speakers, the active listeners, and all participants who together created a space of learning and hope, moving towards a society where everyone can truly enjoy good mental health together.