Teen Mental Health Is Getting Worse, Here’s What an IPB University Psychiatrist Has to Say About the Bullying Epidemic
The recent spate of bullying cases in various regions shows that teen mental health is at a worrying point.
Psychiatrist dr Riati Sri Hartini, SpKJ, MSc, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine (FK) at IPB University, explains that understanding the character and developmental stages of adolescents is key to addressing the increasingly evident mental health crisis.
“Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood. During this phase, a person experiences major changes in physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects. This period is known as the period of self-discovery. Adolescents begin to understand who they are and their role in society,” she explained.
Recently, the virtual world has been abuzz with various cases of bullying. These include the tragedy of a teenager in Sukabumi who ended his life due to peer pressure, the case of a student in Aceh who burned down his boarding school because he could not stand being bullied, and the shocking incident at a school in Jakarta where a victim of bullying detonated a homemade bomb.
According to dr Riati, the concept of mental health is still often misunderstood. Many people think that mental health means the absence of mental disorders. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being.
“In the context of adolescents, mental health means being able to recognize and manage emotions, establish positive relationships, and adapt to life’s pressures,” she said.
In addition, Law Number 18 of 2014 concerning Mental Health also emphasizes that mentally healthy individuals are able to develop physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially, are aware of their abilities, and work productively.
Characteristics of Mental Health
According to dr Riati, mental health disorders in adolescents can manifest through various signs, such as withdrawing from social environments, prolonged negative thoughts, irritability, rule-breaking, and physical complaints without clear causes.
In some cases, adolescents use cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs to relieve stress. The causes are multifactorial. Peer pressure, the search for identity, the influence of social media, gender norms, dysfunctional family relationships, and violence in the surrounding environment can be major triggers of stress in adolescents.
The WHO notes emotional disorders, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, psychosis, and self-harming behavior as some of the mental health issues commonly found in this age group.
dr Riati emphasized that mentally healthy adolescents do not necessarily mean they have no problems, but rather that they are able to face life’s challenges wisely.
She outlined a number of characteristics of adolescents with good mental health. Namely, they are able to resolve conflicts in a healthy manner, show empathy, think positively, feel happy, accept themselves, and are able to carry out their roles as God’s creatures.
“The mental health of adolescents is an important foundation for the formation of a resilient generation in the future. If from an early age they learn to love themselves and dare to ask for help when they need it, they will grow into a healthier and more productive generation,” she concluded. (AS) (IAAS/LAN)
