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| Nandy Agustin Syakarofath, S.Psi., M.A (Photo: Special). |
The number of people suffering from mental health problems in Indonesia has significantly increased every year. Even in 2024, it is estimated that the number of mental health sufferers in Indonesia will reach 3.24 million people. The increase in the number of people with mental health problems affects various age groups, not just teenagers. The rising population experiencing mental disorders is caused by various factors.
Nandy Agustin Syakarofath, S.Psi., M.A, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology (Fapsi) of Muhammadiyah Malang University (UMM), explained that these factors could include environmental changes. These environmental changes encompass social, economic, and technological developments.
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"Lifestyle changes, materialism, and technology-related industrialization sometimes create social pressure and social isolation, triggering stress, depression, and even suicide," he explained.
The next factor is the increasing life pressures over time, such as competition in education, work, and social life. These various factors can evoke negative psychological responses. Someone who frequently faces situations with high life pressures, including academic, economic, and social pressures, is highly associated with an increased risk of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
"Also, individuals experiencing crises like pandemics, wars, natural disasters. Suffering in prolonged situations can lead to anxiety, stress, and various other mental health issues," Nandy added.
He emphasized that the increasing number of individuals with mental health problems is actually like an iceberg phenomenon. The data obtained only represents a portion of the reality. "Just as an iceberg only protrudes a few elements above the surface, there are several other important elements that are unseen because they are beneath the surface. This is due to the increasing number of researches being conducted, resulting in such data or findings," he said.
Lastly, the accessibility of mental health services can be felt by the public. The reasons range from the high cost of treatment, negative labelling, and minimal mental health care facilities in some areas. Consequently, individuals concerned are hindered when seeking the necessary care.
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To address this, Nandy emphasizes the importance of both micro and macro-level efforts. At the micro level, individuals must be taught to enhance their capacity to manage emotions and coping skills for stress. This will enable them to adapt and handle stress in their daily lives.
"At the macro level, the government must pay more attention to access to mental health services, promote supportive community environments, train community workforce, and formulate public policies that support mental health," he added.
In conclusion, Nandy urges all lines and stakeholders to take responsibility for mental health issues. Specifically, families, schools, governments, communities, and individuals. "Collaboration from all these parties is crucial to creating an environment that supports personal growth and the mental health issues faced," he concluded. (dev/wil/fajr)
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