TKK is working to balance the use of technology in moderation, launching the 'Inpsych' project, using the bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse" to equip Thai children with tools to keep them away from depression.

An article published on the website rama.mahidol.ac.th by Asst. Prof. Dr. Khomsan Kietrungrit, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, clearly points out that "social media addiction" can increase the risk of depression. This risky behavior includes spending more time on social media than intended, unrelated to work, or spending time to the point where it affects work or relationships, and using social media to the point where other activities and hobbies are not allowed.

A major reason why social media addicts are at risk of depression is because spending too much time on social media causes them to unconsciously compare themselves to information posted by others, such as their appearance, status, and lifestyle. Meanwhile, many people use these social media channels to post to deal with negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, boredom, or loneliness. They also use them to bully or criticize others. All of this creates negative feelings within themselves and can be passed on to others, both intentionally and unintentionally.

This true story in Thai society has led many to prioritize equipping youth with essential digital skills, a vulnerable group who may not yet be fully aware of the impacts of excessive social media consumption. Numerous tools and projects have been implemented to build immunity for Thai children, protecting them from threats in this digital age.

TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., a Thai company offering cutting-edge manufacturing solutions and technologies to Thai industries, recognizes the flip side of modern technology in the digital age: While there are advantages, there are also disadvantages if used improperly. This is especially true for excessive online media consumption. TKK aims to play a part in promoting moderate social media consumption among Thai children by providing them with the right knowledge to protect them and help them understand their own mental health. TKK has chosen to use the easy-to-understand "bilingual story" "Kitty and the Gloomy Mouse," written by Pharaphat Kongsomjit, or Punch, as a learning tool to help Thai children understand the many causes of depression, one of which is undoubtedly excessive social media consumption.

TKK explains the origins of the Inpsych campaign, inviting Thai children to explore their own hearts and equip them with important weapons to combat depression.

"As a company offering manufacturing technology solutions for Industry 4.0, robotics, and automation, we certainly see the benefits of adopting smart manufacturing technologies. We strongly agree that youth and the younger generation should learn and acquire essential digital skills to advance their education and future careers in the technology sector."

"However, it must be acknowledged that this shift in the form of digital disruption has led the younger generation to be unprepared, spending excessive time on their smartphones and tablets, impacting their physical and mental health without realizing it."

"This idea, communicating real-world problems facing youth in Thai society, as discussed by Kalyanee Kongsomjit, CEO of TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., led to the Inpsych project, which aims to expand and disseminate the bilingual story "Kitty and the Gloomy Mouse" as a learning tool for Thai children, helping them understand the causes of depression, which can be caused by numerous factors, one of which is excessive social media consumption."

"The bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse" is a teaching resource published and available on Amazon.com. Author Punch aims to widely disseminate the story to raise awareness and understanding about depression in children and youth, as well as to promote appropriate social media consumption. This will lead to prevention and immunity for Thai children, eliminating this disease. This commitment aligns with TKK's commitment to sustainable business practices while caring for Thai society in all aspects."

"TKK has previously focused on developing the Thai education sector, including donating cutting-edge tools, robots, and automation systems to vocational colleges and universities across Thailand. These tools provide students with the opportunity to learn and use cutting-edge tools in real-world industrial applications. TKK also pioneered the Innovedex robotics and automation competition, a national robotics competition that serves as a key platform for lower and upper secondary students to showcase their skills in robotics and automation."

"This time, TKK has implemented the Inpsych project, using homes, temples, and schools (or "Bor Wor") as a mechanism for organizing activities to disseminate knowledge about depression in schools. This initiative, coupled with the cooperation of private companies like TKK, has sent volunteer employees to help drive this valuable project to reach the target group of children and youth. We believe that cooperation from all parties will be key to achieving this project's goals."

The origin and intention of "Pharaphat Kongsomchit", the author of the bilingual story "Kitty and the Sad Mouse"

Of course, one of the key people in the Inpsych project is none other than Pharaphat Kongsomjit, or Nong Punch, who spoke about the concept and origins of the bilingual story "Kitty and the Sad Mouse" as follows:

“Punch is currently in Grade 12 at Emma Willard School in the United States. Since high school, we have been given a variety of subjects and activities to choose from, allowing us to learn more or participate in activities that interest us. I also wanted to try writing and illustrating a story, so I consulted with my art teacher and English teacher about how to create an interesting and engaging story.”

“Punch then used illustration and collage techniques to create the illustrations for this storybook. This storybook won a school-level award in the Signature subject. The teacher selected Punch's work for the award because it was both outstanding and beneficial to society.”

“Furthermore, the inspiration for writing this bilingual story came from Punch's experience as a leader at his school. The school selects 15 students, and Punch is one of them. He's become a leader, helping to care for his peers and ensure their mental health. He's been doing this for three years now.”

In the past, Punch has created educational posters about stress and how to protect yourself from stress. Every year on March 1st, Punch and her friends organize "Self-Injury Awareness Day." Students are invited to do body painting or bracelets themed around Self-Injury Awareness Day. This activity helps raise awareness and understanding, encouraging everyone to take care of their mental health.

And from having the opportunity to be a Leader in the areas described, I've learned that the issue of depression is a very important one. As Leaders, we have a duty to help our friends by providing counseling and taking them through a mental health assessment process to determine whether their feelings and behaviors are affecting their mental health. If we find that what they're feeling could pose a long-term threat to their mental health, we can inform the school's psychologist and initiate counseling to prevent this mental illness in time.

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"Having learned about the horrors of depression, Punch wanted to create a storybook. Stories can be a powerful educational tool in the form of storytelling, and they're not just for children. Parents can read this book to their children and learn about depression with them. Punch chose to tell the story through animals like cats, mice, and rabbits because when told through animals, readers won't feel the same emotions or urge to question or draw comparisons as when told through human characters. In other countries, difficult topics are often told through animals to make them easier for children to understand."

"This book is now available on Amazon.com. Next, Punch wants to spread the story to as many Thai schoolchildren as possible. So, after my school break and my return to Thailand, I wanted to share this book with pre-teens, around the age of 9-12, to help them understand and cope with depression through reading "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse."

Collaborate with "Bor Wor" (Houses, Temples, and Schools) to distribute the bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse" to equip Thai children with intellectual weapons to understand depression.

To share the bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse," written with the passion of Pharaphat Kongsomjit, or Punch, to Thai children, particularly those in rural areas studying in extended educational opportunity schools, with access to accurate knowledge about depression and the ability to care for themselves and those around them, TKK contacted Phra Maha Adisak Aphipanyo, the abbot of Wat Borom Sathan (Wat Don Silom), whose school, Ban Nong Makluea School in Sakon Nakhon Province, is part of the temple's development network. He traveled to the area to conduct activities with the students and distribute the bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse" to teachers and students for use as teaching materials.

On this occasion, Phra Maha Adisak Aphipanyo stated, "I myself have had the opportunity to study up to the 8th level of Buddhist studies and pursue bachelor's and doctoral degrees. I have made progress in my Buddhist studies, demonstrating the importance of education and learning. Therefore, I am committed to supporting and developing Thai education, as well as providing educational opportunities to those seeking them in all areas. Furthermore, in Thai society, we share a strong bond between home, temple, and school, which foster mutual support. Consequently, I have supported and assisted Ban Nong Makluea School in Sakon Nakhon Province, where I attended school as a child."

"Therefore, when we learned of TKK's exciting project to promote awareness about depression through bilingual stories, we were pleased to coordinate with the director of Ban Nong Makluea School. We believe this activity will greatly benefit the students, particularly in building resilience to cope with stress or distress that may arise unknowingly, potentially leading to negative reactions or misunderstandings, potentially damaging their futures. Therefore, this activity is a valuable contribution to building a mental shield for the children and youth here."

Teacher Jintana Lansetha, Director of Ban Nong Makluea School, added her impression of this wonderful activity:

"Ban Nong Makluea School has a total of 120 students, offering education from kindergarten 2 to Mathayom 3. It is an extended education opportunity school, extending to compulsory education at Mathayom 3. Most of the students' parents are poor. A common problem we encounter at the school is bullying among students. The school uses the principles of prevention, indoctrination, and suppression. The school has guidance counselors who provide counseling and a support system. Individualized care is provided. Homeroom teachers visit children at home and screen them for any at-risk psychological impacts from their family circumstances or external factors. If a child is at risk, they are instructed to provide special care."

"It's important to acknowledge that children here currently don't have the opportunity to travel much, so they're less exposed to outside information and knowledge about what might be a threat to them, putting them at risk for depression. Therefore, TKK and Nong Punch's visit to organize activities to educate and understand about depression and to disseminate the bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse" provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and awareness about depression, helping them to be more aware of how to protect themselves from the disease. They also learn how to recognize themselves and those around them for signs of depression."

Following the success of the educational and dissemination activities for the bilingual story "Hello Kitty and the Sad Mouse," TKK and Nong Punch have also expanded this activity to Wat Don School in Bangkok. The event has been well-received by both teachers and students who have participated, who have gained both knowledge and enjoyment.