Sporadic fighting has been affecting Thailand’s Deep South over the past two decades. Even though the intensity of the violence decreased in 2023, it continued to take its toll on the psychological health of people living there.

Our teams work with local organisations in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to improve healthcare, especially for survivors of ill treatment who are hesitant to seek assistance or are excluded from existing services. We run a holistic programme, with a particular focus on mental health support, which includes individual and group therapy, psychosocial education and stress management.

In addition to basic healthcare, we offer physiotherapy and pain management, as well as social support. The project is the only one in the area providing such services to survivors of ill treatment and their families.

We also organise activities to raise awareness of mental health issues, working with communities to prevent violent incidents and build mechanisms to cope with them should they occur. Our teams run psychoeducation sessions and psychological first-aid training in counselling centres, mosques, schools, and other venues in areas that have experienced numerous violent events.

MSF shares information and expertise on various aspects of mental health with local networks and groups, as well as state and non-state entities, to strengthen their capacity and improve referral pathways to our facilities.