Overcoming Stigma and Knowing When to Seek Professional Help

Many people still believe that mental health problems are a sign of weak faith, a lack of gratitude, or simply attention-seeking. Stigma like this leads many people to bottle up their feelings and put off seeking help, even though mental health is just as important as physical health.

You should consider professional help if feelings of sadness, anxiety, or distress last a long time, begin to interfere with work, school, or your relationships with others, and do not improve even after you have tried various ways to cope on your own. Changes in sleep patterns and appetite, as well as withdrawing from the people around you, are also worth paying attention to.

Psychologists can help through counseling and psychotherapy, while psychiatrists are doctors who can assess your condition medically. Seeking help is a brave step in taking care of yourself. You can start by consulting through DokterIN.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, immediately call the emergency number 119, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or contact someone you trust.