International Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol. 17, No. 5, October 2021 ISSN 2673-0014 (Online) / © Geoinformatics International 122 Special Issue on HealthGIS 2021 COVID-19 Lock-Down Affecting Mental Health in Thailand; Review and Situation Pholputta, L., 1,5 Glubvong, M., 2 Amornmahaphun, S., 3 Jiranukul, J., 4 Thongkrajai, P. 5 and Nithikathkul, C. 1,5* 1 Program in Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Thailand E-mail: lovelyaoy.ladda@gmail.com 2 Faculty of Nurse, Western University, Thailand 3 Mental Health Department, Roi-et Hospital, Roi-et, Thailand 4 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Thailand 5 Tropical and Parasitic Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Thailand E-mail: nithikethkul2016@gmail.com* *Corresponding Author DOI: https://doi.org/10.52939/ijg.v17i5.2023 Abstract Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are among the most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses in Thailand; both are associated with a high societal and economic burden . Treatment for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder consists of pharmacological and psychological interventions. Three commonly used psychological interventions are cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and supportive therapy. The Unprecedented crisis produced by the COVID-19 pandemic produced a mental health situation with a severe impact on both seniors and adolescents . An analysis of the impact on COVID-19 on mental health in Thailand was conducted by an investigation of data from the Roi-et public health office in Roi Et province. The data showed that in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 there were respectively 1.18, 1.36, 1.51, 1.96 and 1.93 of residents with depression. Among senior citizens in the province depression was more frequent with 2.99, 3.41, 3.60, 3.99 and 5.25 of seniors diagnosed as depressed in the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 . In the era of the COVID-19 outbreak there was a higher prevalence of psychological health problems among seniors and adolescents . The crucial outcome from spatial analysis using GIS showed the highest number of mental health problems in Kaset Wisai district and the lowest prevalence in Thung Kao Lunang district . These findings suggest that the government needs to pay more attention to psychological health among elderly people while combating COVID-19. 1. Introduction Depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 3.8% of the population affected, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years (WHO, 2021). Depression is a leading cause of disability and suicide is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease (WHO, 2020). Unrecognized and untreated depression leads to serious consequences, including functional decline, poor quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality (Miller, 2019), and can lead to suicide (close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year (WHO, 2020). Depression commonly occurs in older adults with chronic conditions or functional impairments. The prevalence of geriatric depressive disorders in Asian countries ranges from 12% to 34 %. In Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Indian, Malaysia, and Thailand the prevalence of depression is respectively: 27.8%, 12.7%, 33.8%, 17.2%, 34.4%, 16.5% and 12% (Malhotra et al., 2010, Pilania et al., 2019, Vanoh et al., 2016 and Anantapong et al., 2017). COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that emerged in 2019. On 11 March 2020, COVID-19 was characterized by the World Health Organization as a pandemic. China reported the first cases of what is now referred to as COVID-19 on December 31, 2019. WHO is working closely with the National Health Commission in Thailand responding to the COVID-19 outbreak (WHO, 2020). Globally, there have been 55,326,907 confirmed cases of COVID- 19, including 1,333,742 deaths by June of 2020 and 223 million cases and between 4.5 million and 15 million deaths by September 2021 (WHO, 2020, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on the lives of people, irrespective of social demographics. However, there