Jakarta. High living costs, traffic congestion, and parenting trauma are key contributors to mental health disorders in Jakarta, according to Samanta Elsener, a psychologist and board member of the Indonesian Psychological Association (Himpsi).

She explained that long commutes from home to work can lead to physical health problems, which increase the risk of stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and decreased work performance.

“Parenting trauma, abuse, bullying, the high cost of living, being part of the sandwich generation, debt, and social burdens can all trigger mental health issues,” Samanta said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Samanta emphasized that talk therapy alone is not sufficient to address the root causes of these mental health problems. She hopes that future leaders of Jakarta will offer more comprehensive programs.

“The main issue is traffic congestion. What Jakarta residents need is a solution to reduce traffic jams and improve air quality,” she added.

Improving these factors could enhance the quality of life and the psychological well-being of Jakarta’s residents.

Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Kasandra Putranto highlighted that depression and anxiety are the most common mental health issues in Jakarta.

“Data from basic health research shows that anxiety and depression remain major mental health concerns, especially after the pandemic,” Kasandra said.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, about 1 in 10 people in Indonesia experience mental disorders. The 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) also recorded that over 19 million Indonesians aged 15 and above suffer from emotional mental disorders, and more than 12 million in the same age group experience depression.

Kasandra noted that the causes of mental health disorders are varied, ranging from genetic factors and parenting to pressure and environmental factors.

“For this reason, it is crucial for future Jakarta leaders to include mental health issues in their work programs so that mental health data can improve in the future,” she said.

Kasandra also pointed out that Jakarta contributes significantly to the rates of sexual violence and drug addiction.

“There are many issues in Jakarta that should be addressed by prospective leaders, who should focus on policies and programs that are beneficial and accessible to the public,” Kasandra added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 260 million people in Southeast Asia, or about one in seven, suffer from mental disorders, with many not receiving timely care.

WHO’s regional advisor for mental health in Southeast Asia, Dr. Andrea Bruni, highlighted this issue during World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. He noted that mental health issues are prevalent in the region and pointed to a significant treatment gap.

In some countries, the treatment gap reaches up to 90 percent, indicating that a large majority of individuals with mental disorders do not receive adequate or timely care, with some not receiving any treatment at all.