In Brief

  • The pandemic appears to have had a silver lining in that many more people are now aware of the importance of mental health. 
  • Indonesia has a population of 260 million but only 600-800 psychiatrists and 2500 clinical psychologists, which is a considerably lower ratio than in other Asian nations.

These days, a lot of people are becoming more aware of their own mental health. They start to realize that stress, anxiety, and depression are not common issues. They already know where to go if they’re not feeling well or their mental health is affected.

For some people, mental health is no longer taboo like it used to be. They are no longer afraid to go to a psychologist or psychiatrist, sharing their experiences through social media, or just admitting that they’ve experienced it.

The Way We Think About Mental Health is Changing

Over the last two years, mental health has become something of a buzzword. But it isn’t all talk. More people are getting the professional help they need. Or, at the very least, receiving community support.

The pandemic appears to have had a silver lining in that many more people are now aware of the importance of mental health. Unfortunately, this is due in part to the pandemic’s destruction of people’s mental health.

As a result of this increased awareness, organizations—from businesses to educational institutions—have begun to treat the issue seriously by encouraging discussion. But will people continue to accept mental health disorders in this way? Are there enough mental health professionals to cope with this surge?

The Twists and Turns in Search of Recovery

People who struggle with mental illness frequently believe they are different from other people. They felt that they were never fully at home anywhere they went. This resulted in an identity crisis for them, which was followed by years of co-occurring mental health disorders.

Over the years, they were extremely anxious to know what exactly was “wrong with me” and were determined to discover it. If they only knew the issue, they could eventually “cure” themselves.

They believed that getting a label would help them work through their issues, trauma, and trapped emotions, and thus open their eyes to the way forward.

Sadly, when they found they had multiple physical and mental diagnoses with no cure, they felt even more helpless and discouraged than before. Worse, mental health labels are commonly associated with stigma.

For some, these labels represented their shame as well as the stigma of how others perceived them. They let those letters diminish their self-esteem. They saw themselves as incapable of doing things that others could. They had intrusive thoughts that caused them years of inner conflict: “How can I ever be successful if I’m constantly anxious? How can someone who is depressed become a successful entrepreneur?”

However, they’ve discovered that in life, if we’re able to let go of the judgement and stigma and reframe how we label ourselves, we can use a label in a positive way.

The Population-to-Psychologist Ratio Still Unbalanced

The number of people with mental disorders increased dramatically in Indonesia throughout 2020. However, counselling facilities are still limited. Psychologists and psychiatrists admit that they themselves are threatened by burnout.

WHO recommends a psychologist-psychiatrist ratio of 1:30,000. The problem is that Indonesia has a population of 260 million but only 600-800 psychiatrists and 2500 clinical psychologists, which is a considerably lower ratio than in other Asian nations.

According to data from the Kementerian Kesehatan, there are only 34 government-owned psychiatric hospitals in Indonesia. Don’t be misled by the word “all of Indonesia,” because there are still six provinces that lack mental hospitals: Riau Islands, North Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, and West Papua.

At a lower level, Indonesia is also struggling. Only 12 provinces (out of a total of 34) have a 100 percent ownership rate of health centers with mental health services. The rest are still at 60%, and some are even at 0%.

The situation in Jakarta, the capital city, is no less concerning. Only eight of the region’s 340 health centers offer mental health treatment.

Professionals Aren’t Just Psychologists or Psychiatrists!

It is common for people to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist when they need help with their mental health. Nevertheless, based on these previous facts, Indonesia currently lacks psychologists and psychiatrists. Then, how can those who face these challenges receive treatment?

Well, thanks to social media, as more people become aware of the importance of seeking therapy, a growing number of influencers and platforms are speaking out about it. This is further backed up by information on other therapy options that might be picked in the pursuit for a better life.

According to our previous article, many respondents had other options besides psychologists and psychiatrists. This fact shows that everyone has the right to choose which process they want to use in order to achieve the “results” they desire.

Many of them were treated with hypnotherapy, meditation, affirmation or suggestion, D.O.A TRTO (unconscious emotional release technique), and life coaching

Have a Strong Bond with Therapist

The choice of mental health methods and services is undoubtedly influenced by the level of comfort they get. According to our findings, “59.71% of respondents felt comfortable with a therapist who listens well.” While 38.85% of respondents prefer a nonjudgmental therapist, 33.81% prefer a therapist who provides objective advice.

People will choose the therapist with whom they are most comfortable. And it’s crucial! Therapy is not an easy process, and your therapist is not there to be your friend. Having said that, you can certainly select a therapist who you believe respects your individuality, opinions, and self.

You must be able to trust your therapist completely; if you cannot and feel compelled to lie to or withhold important information from your therapist, you will not receive effective treatment. You may not be receiving the best treatment available if you do not feel relief from your emotional problems.

We define good listening as Compassionate Curiosity, the non-judgmental empathic desire to learn more about someone that can only happen through explicit intention, reserving judgement, and a willingness to identify the virtues and values hidden behind the shameful and embarrassing emotions that get in the way of true exploration.

Which One Is Best for You?

There is no such thing as a good or bad choice, and that’s clear! There are many different types of therapy, counselling, and coaches available. Only you can decide whether to see a therapist, counsellor, or coach.

Do you frequently experience strong or irregular emotions, or do you suffer from anxiety or depression? A therapist could be a good starting point. Do you want to use peer support to work through a difficult experience or addiction? Group counselling could be an option.

Or do you want help setting goals, developing an action plan, and finding an accountability partner to help you achieve them? Coaching is the way to go!

Your growth will be facilitated by investing in coaching, therapy, and counselling, which will improve your quality of life. Do your research like you would with any investment.

Find out about various methods and strategies. Know the workings of each service and what to expect. Find a practitioner whose style and approach feel perfect for your personality and needs by checking their websites and social media accounts.

Make an appointment for a series of free sessions with a therapist, counsellor, or coach who appeals to you. Find out how they can help you and discuss your goals with them.

The next step is to follow your gut. Your instincts are valid and an excellent tool for screening information! The more you listen, the louder your intuition becomes.

After all, this is a fair process that you can choose and follow in order to live a better life. Everyone is entitled to the method that perfectly suited their problems and the outcomes they wanted.

Final Thoughts

“Nowadays, the world has provided various alternatives tools and solutions. The question is, how wide open our eyes to new methods, how much we believe in something that will work and how hard we try to finally find the right “click” according to conditions? This is the right time to explore!

– ANNISA, ASSOCIATES