3.3.7 Mental health support for staff
Metric: Collaborations and health services
Provide staff with access to mental health support.
Prince of Songkla University provides staff with access to mental health support through mental health promotion and education, psychological assessment, counselling, specialist psychiatric services, and professional development activities that strengthen the University’s capacity to support staff well-being.
Mental Health Promotion, Information and Monitoring
The University provides mental health promotion and psychological monitoring activities for staff. These include the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind programme and the University’s Mental Health Check system, which supports screening and monitoring of stress, psychological well-being, anxiety, and depression.
The Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, also provides free mental health information and educational resources for staff through its website and other communication channels. These resources support mental health literacy, early recognition of psychological difficulties, and appropriate help-seeking.
The University also organises activities aimed at strengthening resilience, emotional well-being, stress management, and early recognition of mental health concerns among staff.
Psychological Counselling for Staff
The Faculty of Dentistry operates the DENT Mental Health Care programme to support staff experiencing stress, burnout, and other mental health concerns.
The programme provides a safe and supportive environment for discussion and offers psychological counselling both onsite and online.
From December 2025 to September 2026, five staff members requested initial counselling, and three received consultations with a psychologist. This demonstrates that staff are able to access professional psychological support when needed.
Access to Specialist Mental Health Services
Staff requiring specialist assessment or treatment can access psychiatric services through the Psychiatry Clinic at Songklanagarind Hospital.
The Department of Psychiatry provides mental health consultation and treatment by psychiatrists according to scheduled appointments. Fees are based on individual healthcare entitlements.
Related specialist services, including the Day Hospital, are also available for staff who require continued assessment, treatment, or rehabilitation.
At Pattani Campus, the Faculty of Nursing also operates a primary care centre that provides mental health counselling for staff.
Capacity Building for Mental Health Support
In addition to providing direct mental health services, Prince of Songkla University strengthens the capacity of staff and health professionals to respond appropriately to psychological and emotional needs.
The Department of Psychiatry regularly organises academic conferences, workshops, and professional training in mental health for medical personnel, general staff, and students. These activities strengthen participants’ knowledge of psychiatric assessment, early management, treatment, medication use, monitoring, and appropriate attitudes toward people experiencing mental health problems.
On 17–18 February 2025, the Department of Psychiatry organised a Satir Workshop for psychiatrists, psychiatry residents, nurses, psychologists, and social workers to strengthen practical skills in psychological counselling and therapeutic approaches.
On 28 November 2025, Psychological First Aid (PFA) training was provided to frontline personnel at Songklanagarind Hospital, including physicians, nurses, staff members, and volunteer medical students, to strengthen their ability to provide appropriate initial psychological support during crises and emergencies.
Comprehensive Support for Staff Well-being
Through free mental health information, psychological screening, counselling, specialist psychiatric care, continuing treatment services, and professional capacity-building activities, Prince of Songkla University provides multiple pathways for staff to access mental health support according to their individual needs.