Sirilapas Kongtrakarn: The beauty queen who battled depression to become Thailand’s mental health champion

File photo : Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn

Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn has never hidden her personal struggles while forging a political career dedicated to improving access to Thailand’s mental health services.

True to form, the 36-year-old politician talked movingly about her fight with depression as she demanded more public funding for mental healthcare during a parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday.

“I speak for people who have battled depression and other mental disorders, including mothers with postpartum depression and the elderly. Please pay attention and help us. Let’s ensure they receive proper treatment,” Sirilapas said, with tears welling in her eyes.

Depression survivor

Sirilapas, nicknamed Mew, regularly shares her experiences of struggling with depression for years, trusting that her stories may give fellow sufferers the courage…