Mental health in Thailand: insurance can help bridge the protection gap
Swiss Re Institute has conducted a research series on mental wellbeing since 2020, to understand attitudes towards mental health and insurance for adults and children in key markets including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the UK and the US. This report focuses on Thailand, based on a survey and interviews conducted from March to May 2021.
Article information and share options
The results find that more than three quarters (78%) of respondents in Thailand consider their mental wellbeing important, but only 61% are currently satisfied with their mental wellbeing. Most people are aware of psychiatric conditions, and a majority either know someone who has experienced poor mental health (75%) or have suffered with mental illness themselves (53%). Yet only half of sufferers are willing to seek professional help.
Respondents cite the high cost of treatment as the core barrier to seeking help, as well as loss of income. Our survey finds several clear preferences for insurance protection that can support insurers in developing new mental health covers. The main areas which survey respondents in Thailand said they would like coverage are for major depressive disorders, and anxiety and bipolar disorders. Most respondents would welcome early intervention from their insurer should they develop symptoms.
Read the full report to find out more.