Serenity Counselling and Mental Health Services launched a bilingual smartphone application called “Shin Than [Survive]” on Oct. 11, at Chiang Mai University, aiming to promote emotional well-being and provide suicide prevention resources tailored for Myanmar speakers.
“The Shin Than app doesn’t just offer ways to prevent suicide; it also includes daily self-care techniques, calming exercises for when you are stressed, and educational materials to address misconceptions about mental health and suicide,” said Agnes Mary, a mental health counsellor and the founder of Serenity Counselling and Mental Health Services.
Designed to overcome connectivity barriers in crisis zones, the application functions fully offline and guarantees user anonymity, delivering daily self-care techniques, stress-management exercises, and educational modules targeting social stigmas around mental health.
Core Features and Anonymity
- Offline Functionality: Developed to ensure uninterrupted access across regions in Myanmar experiencing frequent internet shutdowns or poor connectivity.
- Personalized Self-Assessments: Expressive arts therapist Dr. May noted that the app enables users who are hesitant to seek face-to-face counseling to complete private assessments independently and receive tailored guidance, self-care routines, and professional referrals.
- Suicide Prevention & Education: Agnes Mary, founder of Serenity Counselling and Mental Health Services, said the app counters common misconceptions surrounding suicide while providing immediate calming tools for high-stress situations.
The launch event, themed “From Lived Experience to Life-Saving Action,” featured interactive mental health workshops, educational quizzes, and physical wellness activities.
