'Hanging out at malls can reduce stress'

Living in the stressful metropolis of Jakarta can make people more prone to mental disorders. In conjunction with World Mental Health Day on Sunday Oct. 10, The Jakarta Post asked some residents how they managed to cope with the stress of the city.

Heni, 30, is a consultant for a public relations firm in Pancoran, East Jakarta. She lives with her husband and two children in Cilangkap, East Jakarta:

People living in a hectic capital city like Jakarta are particularly vulnerable to mental illnesses, because there are so many things in this city that make us experience some kind of stress -- from our busy work schedules to the city's worsening traffic jams and pollution levels.

Extreme examples are depression or mental breakdown, but also there are people who habitually lie -- because they are used to making up excuses for turning up late to office due to traffic jams.

But we can actually prevent all this by just going with the flow and trying to enjoy everything that we do. The city administration can also help by providing a convenient transportation system and more public space for Jakartans to unwind.

I myself always try to find peace for my soul by getting close to God through my daily prayers.

Ririn Lutfiana, 17, is a student of a state high school in Cakung, East Jakarta. She lives with her older brother and relatives in Penggilingan, East Jakarta:

Jakarta is a really stressful place. There's too many people living here, while its traffic jams and pollution levels are really awful. We students also get more stressed by the many confusing policies from the education ministry, which just adds uncertainty to our chance of getting jobs in the future.

So what I think is most important for us to avoid getting too much stress is that we regularly spare some time for recreation to refresh ourselves.

I usually like to go out on weekends to search for some fresh air at Puncak or at the Botanical Gardens in Bogor. Or just hanging out with my friends at the mall.

Even doing something simple like watching movies on television or listening to some soothing music on the radio is enough.

Hopefully, we can then avoid ever having to see a psychiatrist or having to be treated at a mental institute.

--The Jakarta Post