Mental wellbeing cases among the more youthful era are on the rise. This mental wellbeing issue has happened within the final 10 a long time and has been trending since the COVID-19 widespread. Even though Generation Z is a generation that is expected to lead the country to be more advanced in the future. However, judging by the current problems, the expectations have become vague. The tendency of the younger generation to self-harm and attempt suicide is the resulting impact of this problem. Researchers from the UConn School of Medicine and a team in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that emergency room visits for mental health crises surged among children, adolescents, and young adults in the United States from 2011 to 2020. Not only in the United States, the high rate of mental health problems among adolescents also occurs in several countries and has occurred globally.
In Indonesia alone, this case has claimed many lives. According to the 2013 Indonesian National Health Research (RISKESDAS), about 3.7% (9 million) of people suffer from depression, about 6% (14 million) of people aged 15 years and over suffer from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety and about 1.7% per 1000 people suffer from chronic psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia. The lack of public awareness of these cases is because Indonesia still considers this issue to be stigmatized, and some people think that people with mental health problems are crazy or possessed by the devil. Mental health problems are medical conditions that affect brain health.
Usually, mental health disorders or depression are vulnerable to adolescents who are the successors of the nation. This should be the biggest concern for the community when it concerns the future of a nation or country. Indeed, there are already people who realize and participate in campaigning for the impact of mental health. However, several barriers and challenges hinder this as many are still confused in responding to people who experience mental health disorders. The nonappearance of mental wellbeing administrations in moo- and middle-income nations is additionally a genuine obstruction to meeting mental wellbeing needs within the community. Other obstructions incorporate the conviction that mental wellbeing is untreatable, individuals who encounter mental wellbeing are perplexed to look for mental offer assistance for fear of being ostracized, and abuse and separation against individuals who encounter mental wellbeing are too major boundaries. For the issue of psychiatrists in mental health itself, there is still a lack of workers in low- and middle-income countries. According to WHO in 2014, only 600-800 psychiatrists were working across Indonesia, resulting in a ratio of 0.01 psychiatrists per 100,000 people in the world.
It should be noted that mental health does not also occur due to environmental pressures alone, negative actions or comments both on social media and outside of it can also lead to mental health disorders. In addition, other factors such as academic pressure, breakups, economic stress, or profound life changes can also lead to mental illness and then play a role in a person’s decision to commit suicide. Therefore, we must take mental health issues more seriously and provide support to those in need. Indeed, addressing this problem cannot be done as a whole, but gradually. Overcoming this problem can be done with the closest people in the neighborhood and we can also start from ourselves. Then, what are the solutions that can be done to overcome it? There are several strategies that the author presents according to health professional experts quoted from kejarmimpi.id. This strategy is specifically for those of you who are currently struggling to maintain mental health and can be done at home, including:
- Take time for self-contemplation
When you feel uncomfortable with a certain thought, consider thinking about its cause and addressing it. If no solution is found, accept it as part of a valuable life lesson. Perhaps this experience can be an impetus for further personal development.
- Unleash emotions by writing
Writing encourages us to explore our thoughts and feelings about the times we face. This activity also serves as a means of self-discovery when done consistently. It is guaranteed that you will feel relieved after expressing your feelings through the writing process.
- Know your limits when you need a break.
We often lose track of time when we are busy working or studying until we realize our abilities. Apart from the body, the mind also needs rest after continuous thinking. After the activity, you need to rest by sleeping, listening to music, or doing your favorite activities to restore the energy of the mind and body.
- Remember you always have a support system.
Asking for help is not a weakness. Friends or family can be a place to share and seek support. In addition, a community with a psychiatrist is also an option to calm your mind in various situations.
- Keep away from things that can interfere with your mental health.
Social media can be stressful, but you can turn it into something positive. Limit the content you watch by following people who make a positive impact. You can also unfollow things that make you unhappy to make sure you focus on the important things.
The government’s role in improving mental health by: (1) collaboration between various sectors is significant because mental health is the result of interactions between psychological, social, and biological factors, (2) strategies that include encouragement, prevention, healing, and rehabilitation must be emphasized, (3) mental health organizations, governments, and the general public must work together to create change (D. Ayuningtyas and M. Rayhani, 2018). If these solutions are implemented in several countries, the golden generation currently held by adolescents will be created because there are no barriers to adolescents due to mental health. Health factors play a big role in supporting a country to become more advanced.
Come on, for everyone to be more concerned about the mental health conditions that occur in the world today. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family, friends, or boyfriend if you experience it. Even if it doesn’t eliminate it, the burden will at least be a little less on your mind. Let no more victims fall because we are hesitant and afraid to speak up. I believe you can and we can face this problem together.
By: Ravydo Anggara Jufri
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