Psychological support prepared as school resumes classes after shooting incident

Debsirin Nonthaburi School is set to provide psychological support for up to a year following a tragic shooting incident that occurred on August 7. The Department of Mental Health has assessed and supported faculty, students, and parents affected by the tragedy at the state-run secondary school in Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi.

All 3,096 students' mental health was evaluated through online tools and home visits, with about 60 students identified as high-risk and requiring close monitoring. A mental health support centre has been set up, with 80 Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment (MCATT) staff and psychologists prepared to provide assistance.

The Department of Mental Health's plan includes support for three main groups: over 200 students from five affected classrooms will receive intensive care, including group activities and psychological support from a team of 20. Around 220 faculty members will be provided with individual counseling by a team of 10, while parents and students seeking counseling independently have been prepared for support.

The assistance will be available for one year, with the focus initially on follow-up assessments, group activities, and in-depth counseling during the first two weeks to two months, followed by periodic monitoring of students' mental health for the next 12 months. Teachers will also be trained to identify warning signs in students and refer those at risk to the department's mental health support system.

The shooting, carried out by a 14-year-old boy, killed nine people and injured at least 22 others, including five teachers and at least 22 students and staff members. The shooter, who also shot himself before being taken to the hospital, had shot his two grandparents before leaving for the school.