Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, and ThaiHealth Award 11 Organizations in the Thai Mind Awards 

On Wednesday January 22, 2025, the Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (TIMS), supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), organized the award ceremony celebrating 11 outstanding organizations to exemplify mental health promotion for employees as recognized by the Thai Mind Awards  at Chulalongkorn University Auditorium. Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Chulalongkorn University President, gave the opening remarks, followed by a speech on mental health care for personnel in Thai organizations by Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, Director of ThaiHealth. Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattasuda Taephant, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, then delivered a report on the objectives and operations of the project. This was followed by the awards ceremony for outstanding organizations in mental health promotion (Thai Mind Awards) and awards for organizations with excellence in various dimensions of wellbeing (The Honorable Mention Awards). The event concluded with a lecture on health care for Chulalongkorn University personnel by Prof. Dr. Kanaphon Chanhom, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, and a panel discussion sharing best practices by executives from the award-winning organizations. 

The Thai Mind Awards winning organizations are as follows:  

• The Excellence in Thai Mind Awards: B.Grimm Power PCL., AIA Thailand Co., Ltd., Western Digital Storage Technologies (Thailand) Ltd., Prachinburi branch, GE Medical Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Pet Friends Animal Hospital   
• The Honorable Mention Awards (awarded to 6 organizations with outstanding performance in the different areas of GRACE): The Aspen Tree, The Forestias, ANC Brokerage Co., Ltd., Siemens Healthcare Ltd., TDCX (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Nakhon Ratchasima Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital, Sing Tor Satin Co., Ltd., and Textile Gallery Co., Ltd. (as PASAYA).  

The ‘Thai Mind Awards’ is a collaboration between Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Psychology and TIMS, with support from ThaiHealth. They jointly researched and developed the criteria for selecting outstanding organizations in mental health promotion, aiming to identify and honor model organizations that promote mental wellbeing for their employees. The assessment criteria consist of 5 aspects called “GRACE”, which includes: G = Growth & Development—supporting employee growth and development; R = Recognition—acknowledging and recognizing employees’ capabilities and achievements; A = All for inclusion—emphasizing employee participation in decision-making; C = Care for health & safety—taking care of employees’ health and safety; E = work-life Enrichment—maintaining policies for work-life balance. The goal is to encourage organizations at all levels to recognize the importance of promoting mental well-being for their employees. 

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, Chulalongkorn University President, stated that Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Thailand Institute for Mental Sustainability (TIMS) and support from Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), launched the “Thai Mind Awards” to enhance mental wellbeing of Thai people, focusing on promoting good mental health as a crucial foundation for improving quality of life and society. The roles of universities today are not limited to providing academic knowledge but extend to developing people’s quality of life, especially mental health, which significantly affects families, communities, and society at large. Furthermore, the “Thai Mind Awards” aims to inspire and recognize organizations that serve as role models in caring for their personnel’s mental wellbeing, reflecting the importance of building mental strength alongside physical strength to increase work efficiency and develop Thai people’s potential. This is also considered an important step in driving Thai society toward balanced development of both physical and mental aspects, with the goal of sustainably creating a better quality of life for Thai people.                

According to Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, Director of ThaiHealth, currently, mental health problems pose a threat to workers and their work potential both in the short and long term. Mental well-being in the workplace is therefore an issue that everyone and every organization must join hands in addressing. The Thai Mind Awards serves as a way to create model organizations for employee wellbeing care in Thai society while serving as an example and inspiration for developing worker wellness.               

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattasuda Taephant, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, said that the presentation of the Thai Mind Awards to these 11 organizations will serve as inspiration and guidance for other organizations to adapt and apply these practices in caring for the mental wellbeing of employees.                

Representatives from 5 top organizations that received the Thai Mind Awards spoke about their organizational approaches to prioritizing mental health care, as follows:               

Mr. Kriangkrai Yooyeun, Executive Vice President – People Director, B.Grimm Power Co., Ltd., stated that the organization prioritizes mindfulness in organization, or the development of mindfulness among people in the organization. The focus is on enabling employees at all levels to apply mindfulness development tools through various activities based on individual interests.       

Mrs. Sarunya Tienthavorn, Chief Manager Human Resources, AIA Thailand, expressed her belief that when employees enjoy good mental health, their physical health will improve accordingly. Therefore, the organization has a program called “Own your Mental Health” which combines group activities, guest speakers, various solutions, and mental health counseling for employees within the organization. 

Dr. Sawai Cheursawathee, Managing Director, Western Digital Prachinburi, said that his factory emphasizes diversity and equality within the organization, aiming to create a safe workplace where people can work happily. Therefore, employees at all levels can openly sit down and provide feedback about their work to management at all levels to ensure equality. 

Ms. Thepsinee Santanaluk, Human Resources Manager, GE HealthCare, expressed that her organization places great emphasis on the concept of “Care,” particularly self-care, through a program called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides a hotline that employees and their family members can call to discuss mental health concerns. Additionally, the organization promotes awareness of Psychological Safety in the workplace by creating a safe environment where everyone can express their thoughts or different opinions without fear of criticism or blame. 

Dr. Wigrom Chettanawanit, Cheif People Officer, Pet Friends Animal Hospital, shared that the hospital encourages employees to record their experiences in a journal called the “Growth Book,” where they document their monthly goals and work processes. This allows hospital management to understand the obstacles and limitations employees face in achieving their life goals, enabling them to provide effective support. 

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