Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — The high cost of living and trauma from parenting have become significant factors causing mental health disorders in Jakarta. Meanwhile, workers in Jakarta tend to travel such a long distance to work, while also often trapped in traffic jams. This can lead to physical problems, increasing the risk of stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and decreased work performance.
Psychologist and central administrator of the Indonesian Psychological Association (PP Himpsi) Samanta Elsener M Psi also explained that various factors can be the trigger to mental health disorders, including the distance between home and workplace.
“Parenting trauma, harassment, bullying, high cost of living, being a sandwich generation, debt, and social burdens, all of these can also trigger mental health disorders,” said Samanta when contacted in Jakarta, as quoted from Antara, Tuesday, September 3.
According to Samanta, sharing stories (talk therapy) is not enough to overcome the problems that cause mental health disorders. Therefore, he hopes that the programs offered by Jakarta’s future leaders can be more comprehensive.
“The main problem is traffic jams. The solution needed by Jakarta residents is how to reduce traffic jams and improve air quality,” he added.
Thus, the quality of life index and the level of happiness of the community can increase psychologically.
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Meanwhile, Clinical Psychologist Kasandra Putranto also highlighted that depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems in Jakarta. “Basic health research data shows that anxiety and depression are still major mental health problems, especially after the pandemic,” said Kasandra.
Based on data from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), around 1 in 10 people in Indonesia experience mental disorders. Riskesdas 2018 also noted that more than 19 million Indonesians aged over 15 years experience emotional mental disorders, and more than 12 million people in the same age group experience depression.
Kasandra added that the causes of mental health disorders are very diverse, ranging from genetic factors, parenting, pressure, and the environment. “Therefore, it is important for the future leaders of Jakarta to include mental health issues in their work programs so that mental health data can be better in the future,” he said.
He also stated that Jakarta is a contributor to the number of cases of sexual violence and drug addiction. “There are many problems in Jakarta that must be considered by prospective leaders so that they can focus on policies and programs that are beneficial and accessible to the public,” said Kasandra.
(Raidi/Agung)
