Tragedies on social media challenge mental health taboos in Cambodia

Mental health is mostly a taboo topic in Cambodia, even here in the capital of Phnom Penh. Although many older people suffer from post traumatic stress disorders as a result of the Khmer Rouge genocide, and the effect has echoed down generations, people rarely talk about depression. Sadly, in the last two weeks at least three tragic stories have gone viral on Cambodian social media, after news reports emerged of young people taking their own lives. It is well known that discussion of the details of suicide can have a very harmful effect on others who are depressed and so, for that reason, we won’t discuss their cases here, but we do want to discuss their impact.

Stories like this hit us hard as five mental health professionals. Everyone working at The Beekeeper has seen just how devastating depression can be for past clients, whether Cambodian or from other countries. But even more than that, we have seen the impact of depression on loved friends, and lost some through the tragedy of suicide.

So for us these stories are close to home and heartbreaking, and not just because those who died were young. Loss of life is always tragic and there is nothing positive about what has happened for them or their family or friends. However, we are encouraged that some Cambodians have been spurred into speaking out about depression by these news reports, and have opened up about their own struggles.

In particular we have been inspired by the courage of one young man called Chantra whose heartfelt public account of an acute depression which nearly ended in his early death has been shared more than 17,000 times, showing just how much hunger Cambodians have to learn and talk about something which has traditionally been suppressed. Chantra talked of his many efforts to deal with his pain through professional help and medication, although it was meditation that finally helped him most.

Though nothing can compensate for the loss of those who have died, we do find some comfort in the fact that mental health is now being spoken about. Depression is often made more profound by the silence that surrounds it, and by people’s fears that they won’t be heard or understood. We hope anyone who is experiencing depression, or any other problems that interfere with their happiness and good mental health, will now feel like they are allowed to seek help, whether that’s from a family member, a friend, or a professional. Like Chantra, they shouldn’t give up, looking for whatever mix of therapy or healing will bring them relief.

Most of all, we hope that this conversation continues. The very act of speaking the truth out loud can sometimes lift depression, and for those in pain simply knowing that others experience it can be a comfort. In some countries, this conversation has been going on for a long time. In Cambodia, it is just beginning, but all positive change has to start somewhere.