People often think that depression is sadness, but depression is actually deeper than that. It is the feeling of uselessness, worthlessness. Which is why it often leads to suicide when it becomes worse.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Depression is not always shown through a gloomy expression, according to child, teenager, and family psychologist Rosdiana Setyaningrum.
To this end, it is important to maintain close relations to check someone's mood and mental condition, she said.
"People often think that depression is sadness, but depression is actually deeper than that. It is the feeling of uselessness, worthlessness. Which is why it often leads to suicide when it becomes worst," Setyaningrum told ANTARA on Friday.
The psychologist from Indonesia University explained that people tend to have a misconception that depression happens among closed-off individuals. Yet depression can occur in open individuals, she noted.
She advised that parents should communicate with their children in order to know what they actually feel. She also suggested that parents should maintain their expressions once their child opens up.
"During the pandemic, it is better for parents not to be demanding of their children. If a child received demands that are too high, then they would feel pressured," Setyaningrum said.
"However, if they are not demanded upon, or if they are too free, then it would cause a feeling of worthlessness," she added.
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On a different occasion, psychologist Livia Istania DF Iskandar said that parents should understand their children's conditions and adjust themselves, based on these conditions.
"During the pandemic, parents should not set a bar that is too high. They should know the condition of their children," she said.
Echoing Iskandar's opinion, psychologist Tika Bisono also requested the public to be compassionate to one another and to help children with acute depression who have the tendencies to cut themselves and even attempt suicide.
"Even though you do not know them personally, extending a helping hand can make someone's mental condition better," she added.
If a child starts to show self-harmful behavior to the point of wanting to commit suicide, dr. I Gusti Ngurah Agastya advised parents to not leave their child alone, and keep them away from dangerous objects.
If a child still has those thoughts, she urged parents to get their children to a psychiatrist or a hospital that specializes in mental health issues.
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Translator: Lifia Putri, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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