'Terror, reform, polls cause great stress'<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Residents of urban metropolises like Jakarta face a variety of
\nsocio-political factors that contribute to higher stress levels
\nthan those in remote areas, a researcher said.<\/p>\n
Recent reforms, terrorist attacks and the election year had
\ncaused heightened stress and had contributed to an increase in
\nthe number of suicides in Greater Jakarta, said noted
\npsychiatrist Yul Iskandar.<\/p>\n
According to Yul, president director of the Institute for
\nCognitive Research, reform movements were often a cause of stress
\nbecause most people were naturally conservative and did not like
\nchange. Reform would cause even more stress if people were
\ndisappointed with their results.<\/p>\n
\"We've often heard campaigners talk about fighting corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism. They also promised better social welfare.
\nIf such promises are not fulfilled, people will become more
\nstressed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yul said research showed that 90 percent of the population
\ncould handle personal stress caused by reform, which meant over
\n20 million Indonesians were unable to handle the stress of
\nreform.<\/p>\n
Terrorist activities like bomb blasts, on the other hand,
\ncause stress because such incidents were unpredictable.<\/p>\n
\"Although the number of victims is less than that in a traffic
\naccident, terror acts haunt Jakartans more,\" he said, speaking at
\na function to mark World Mental Health Day.<\/p>\n
World Mental Health Day was initiated on Oct. 10, 1993, by the
\nWorld Federation for Mental Health for four main aims: to gain
\nrespect for the rights of those diagnosed with mental and
\nemotional disorders; to expand prevention programs designed to
\nreduce the threat of emotional disorders among vulnerable
\npopulations; to encourage the provision of necessary and
\nappropriate treatment services for those in need; and to promote
\noptimal mental and emotional health among all peoples.<\/p>\n
Yul said the lengthy election process had also caused stress
\namong candidates and their supporters, because most people in
\ndeveloping countries like Indonesia could not separate political
\nand personal affairs.<\/p>\n
He added two million people, or 10 percent of the 20 million
\nwho had difficulty handling stress, needed medical treatment for
\nstress-related illnesses like psychosomatic, depression and
\nanxiety.<\/p>\n
\"People who suffer such illnesses have a high suicide risk.
\nThey may commit suicide if they have opportunity,\" said Yul, who
\nis also director of Dharma Graha Special Hospital, which treats
\nsuch patients.<\/p>\n
He also believed that the number of suicide cases was far
\nhigher this year than those reported by media due to the combined
\nstress factors.<\/p>\n
In January, 18 suicide attempts were made in Jakarta, most of
\nthem successful, whereas Jakarta Police recorded only six suicide
\nattempts the month before.<\/p>",
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