Feeling Mentally Exhausted? Let's Find Someone to Talk To

Kapanlagi.com - Have you ever felt extremely tired but not physically? Like your head is full, your heart is heavy, but you don’t know who to talk to? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There are many teenagers out there experiencing similar things. In fact, a National I-NAMHS (National Adolescent Mental Health) survey released by UGM in 2022 mentioned that more than 15 million Indonesian teenagers (aged 10-17 years) experience mental health issues, ranging from excessive anxiety, depression, to behavioral disorders.

Sadly, in early February 2025, a high school student in Banjarbaru was found dead, suspected of suicide due to severe mental pressure. This case became a national spotlight and made many people aware that mental health issues among teenagers are real and very serious. Unfortunately, many still underestimate it or even judge without knowing the story.

1. Factors Triggering Teen Mental Health

Illustration of a man being bullied by his friends (Photo credit: META AI)

Quoting several health website sources, there are several factors that trigger mental health issues in teenagers, including:

- Social and Media Pressure: The pressure to meet unrealistic standards of beauty and success on social media can trigger anxiety, depression, and a decrease in self-esteem. Constant social comparison is also a trigger.

- Family Environment: Inadequate parenting styles, whether overly protective or neglectful, can have negative impacts. Prolonged family conflict and lack of emotional support from parents are also risk factors.

- Bullying and Violence: Bullying, whether direct or online (cyberbullying), as well as physical or sexual violence, can lead to long-term emotional trauma, including social anxiety and low self-esteem.

- Physical Health and Lifestyle: Lack of sleep, unhealthy eating patterns (high in sugar and saturated fats), and lack of physical activity can affect mental health. Insufficient sunlight exposure can also influence hormone production that regulates mood.

- Academic Pressure: Heavy school workloads, demands to perform well, and lack of time management strategies can lead to excessive stress and even burnout.

- Traumatic Experiences: Traumatic experiences such as bullying, violence, sexual abuse, or natural disasters can trigger mental disorders.

- Identity Crisis: Difficulty in finding one's identity and facing physical and hormonal changes during puberty can cause stress and uncertainty.

Of course, the factors above are drawn from frequently occurring cases, while each teenager has different experiences. If you have a friend who exhibits signs of mental disorders such as drastic mood changes, excessive anxiety, feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness, anger/aggressiveness, frequent insomnia, self-harm, withdrawal from their environment, and other signs that indicate they are changing, do not avoid or judge them without knowing their story. They need friends, and it is very important to seek help from mental health professionals.

2. Let's Talk!

Illustration of a woman needing a chat buddy (Photo credit: META AI)

There are many ways to help, including counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or confiding in friends. You can also use apps or services just to share your problems, like Alma Care, which is designed to always accompany you no matter your mood. Sad, angry, anxious, not knowing who to tell because you're introverted, shy, or for other reasons. Try Alma Care, a safe and secure space, and you can share anytime, 24 hours a day, whenever you want.

Alma won't judge your problems; Alma will listen and try to find solutions that are definitely validated by professional psychiatrists. Alma is here to be a friend who understands you.

Remember, life is like riding a bike; sometimes you have to speed up, sometimes you have to brake, sometimes you fall, sometimes you have a flat tire, sometimes you find fortune along the way. But one thing is for sure, you have to keep pedaling! Because your life is beautiful. Try asking Alma, how valuable are you? Let's chat with Alma.

3. Let's Chat!

There are many ways to help, including counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or just talking to friends. You can also use apps or services to share your problems, like Alma Care, which is designed to always accompany you no matter what your mood is. Sad, angry, anxious, not knowing who to talk to because you’re an introvert, shy, or for other reasons. Try Alma Care, a safe and secure space, where you can share your thoughts 24 hours a day, whenever you want.

Alma won’t judge your problems; Alma will listen and try to find solutions that are validated by professional psychiatrists. Alma is here to be a friend who understands you.

Remember, life is like riding a bike; sometimes you have to speed up, sometimes you have to brake, sometimes you fall, sometimes you have a flat tire, sometimes you find blessings along the way. But one thing's for sure, you have to keep pedaling! Because your life is beautiful. Try asking Alma, how valuable are you? Let’s chat with Alma.

(kpl/gtr)