The Covid-19 pandemic , which has lasted more than a year and a half, does not only threaten physical health. Uncertainty and bad news from the pandemic also affects the mental health of every individual.
Various efforts in managing mental health become very important in conditions like this to keep yourself sane.
Specialist Psychiatrist RSIA Limijati Bandung Elvine Gunawan said, during the pandemic
This mental health number is very significant for experiencing mental disorders. Some mental disorders that often arise today, for example, are easily carried away by emotions, stress, excessive anxiety, depression , and so on.
“This phenomenon needs to be handled very wisely, because if it doesn’t become a double-edged sword. From one side the cases (mental disorders) are increasing, but on the one hand the stigma is greater,” said Elvine in a virtual discussion held by the Nusantara Media Development Association. in Bandung, Thursday (4/11/2021).
Elvine explained, if the individual is mentally healthy, the individual will be able to continue to develop and contribute as a society. Unfortunately, many people are still unfamiliar with mental health issues such as stress management and various types of mental disorders and how to handle them.
“Actually, mental health can affect anyone at any age because every day we experience changes in life situations. However, for some people, when there is a slight difference in behavior, the mental health issue is directly linked. bullying,” he said.
Based on data from the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018, people with mental disorders in Indonesia recorded an increase. This increase was revealed from the increase in the prevalence of households with people with mental disorders (ODGJ) in Indonesia with indicators of healthy families nationally for people with severe mental disorders being treated and not neglected by 17.08%.
This condition is exacerbated by the high stigma against ODGJ in the community. This stigma arises because of the lack of public knowledge about the condition of ODGJ. The strong influence of this stigma often causes people to be reluctant to access mental health services.
“Indeed we can never generalize what is meant by stress in life. It may threaten life or make us withdraw because of a sense of insecurity. So this stress can cause emotional mental disorders when it cannot be adapted, so anxiety, panic, loss, and depression,” said Elvine.
Elvine also said that the people most at risk of experiencing anxiety were young women. During the pandemic, women are more significantly under pressure because they are forced to work from home while continuing to work.
Therefore, to manage and manage stress during the current pandemic is very important. How to manage stress and anxiety during a pandemic that needs to be done first is to understand the conditions of stress and anxiety that are being experienced.
“Actually, stress is necessary. Humans who do not have stress in their lives cannot perform well, but humans who have too much stress also cause poor performance. So, that is right when stress levels are in optimum condition,” said Elvine.
“The easiest way, if you wake up not refreshed, something has gone wrong, especially since it’s been a week in a row like that, we should have suspected it,” Elvine added.