Psychiatrists busy as many Jakartans seek help

Psychiatrists busy as many Jakartans seek help

JAKARTA (JP): Ongoing economic difficulties have brought
Jakartans, rich and poor alike, flocking to the psychiatrist's
couch, according to experts.

Renowned psychologist Sartono Mukadis, psychiatrist Dwijo
Saputro and doctor Amir Hussein Anwar told The Jakarta Post in
separate interviews yesterday that numbers seeking consultation
would continue to rise if uncertainties brought about by the
current crisis persisted.

Failing to provide detailed figures, they nevertheless said
that numbers excluded those who sought a relief to their
emotional and mental problems in general hospitals or other
places.

But a strong indication of the veracity of the claim is found
in the Husada hospital in Central Jakarta, where the 15 beds
allocated for patients with mental problems have been almost
fully occupied since the crisis began last July.

"It's the highest number of patients we have ever recorded
here", Dwijo, head of the psychiatry clinic at the hospital,
said. The number, he said, did not include out-patients, who do
not stay overnight in the hospital.

According to Sartono, who is also director of PersoData
consultant firm, confusion brought about by the current economic
situation has made people, particularly businesspeople, lose
self-confidence.

Economic turmoil, the worst in three decades, was sparked off
by a large depreciation in the value of the rupiah against the
U.S. dollar.

This, compounded by the prolonged drought of last year, has
pushed the price of basic commodities up and rendered many
business ventures bankrupt. Thousands of workers have lost their
jobs.

Gloom hanging over the country's economy can now be seen in
the somber faces of many people here. "Jakartans no longer enjoy
shopping or hanging around the malls", Sartono said.

Sartono strongly suggested business executives should handle
the delicate process of dismissing their employees carefully, and
help the unfortunate individuals prepare themselves for the
difficulties ahead.

"For example, ailing companies, before announcing dismissals,
could hold a friendly meeting with employees and their families
to discuss the condition of the business", he said.

This would help employees understand the situation and prepare
them for unemployment. This may in turn help to reduce the
incidence of behavioral disorders, Sartono suggested.

Meanwhile, Amir, director of RSJ Pusat state mental hospital
in Grogol, West Jakarta, said the number of Jakartans suffering
from depression and mental disorders must be much higher than the
figures revealed in a study conducted three years ago.

The study was carried out by the city municipality and
concluded that one in five Jakartans suffered some form of
emotional disorder. (emf)