The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) highlights the importance of early intervention for mental health issues among Indonesian teenagers. The Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at UGM, Rahmat Hidayat, urges the younger generation not to feel taboo or hesitate to access professional help when facing severe psychological pressure. The courage to consult is seen as a positive step in the process of growing up, not a weakness.
This appeal is highly relevant to the findings of the 2022 Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS), which showed that around 15.5 million or 34.9 percent of teenagers in the country have experienced mental health problems. However, Rahmat clarified that this percentage refers to lifetime prevalence, meaning the symptoms were experienced at least once during adolescence and did not occur simultaneously across the entire population.
Furthermore, he explained that emotional turmoil and confusion are natural phases in the transition from childhood to adulthood. However, inner conflicts that are left to pile up without concrete solutions risk transforming into psychosocial disorders or more serious declines in psychological function, such as prolonged clinical depression.
In facing these challenges, the role of the immediate environment is crucial. Rahmat reminded parents to provide space for children to express their emotions healthily, while continuing to accompany them without judgment. The presence of family, school, and friendship circles as supportive listeners can help minimize the negative impacts of excessive stress.
