The beneficiary of the inaugural ‘Hua Hin Run to Give’ at the Cha-Am Naresuan Army Camp was the Hua Hin Hospital Psychiatric Centre. Another agenda item was to raise awareness about mental health issues and the unfortunate stigma associated with this serious worldwide health concern. ‘Run to Give’ involved around 230 starters completing either a 5 kilometre or 3 kilometre run (or walk for some), for the majority not as a fiercely contested race, but an early morning (6 AM) exercise and a good reason for an outdoor excursion with family or friends. By paying for the privilege of participating and receiving a souvenir’ T-shirts, over 150,000 THB was raised for a cause which is gaining more attention each year worldwide.
The Thailand Department of Mental Health believes that at least three million Thais are known to suffer from some form or other of mental illness. A study has concluded that around 20% of Thais, or about one in every five, suffer from some form of mental illness. The most common diseases were psychosis, anxiety disorders and depression. The World Health Organization is concerned about the rising incidence of depression across the globe. The World Health Organisation has moved depression to number two on its priority list, immediately below heart disease.
Staff from Hua Hin sponsors, the Marriott and Sheraton Resorts, were on hand to take care of the participants with essential food and drink supplies, with their GMs Goertz Bauer and Bruce Dupuis amongst the eager runners. Next year’s ‘Hua Hin Run to Give’ promises to deliver much more support for the Hua Hin Hospital. To contact the Hua Hin Hospital Psychiatric Centre Phone 032 52300, email psychiatry@huahinhospital. go.th, Website: www.psychiatry,huahinhospital.go.th
