Jumat, 06 Desember 2024

Mentalku: Digital Platform to Overcome Stress Problems in An Effort to Support Youth’s Mental Health

 Abstract 

The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in Indonesia, especially among adolescents, calls for innovative solutions to address these issues. This paper introduces "Mentalku," a digital application designed to reduce stress and mental health problems, particularly those associated with excessive social media use. "Mentalku" provides features such as online counseling, discussion forums, mental health articles, tips and tricks for maintaining mental well-being, and mental health monitoring tools. The research adopts a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing literature reviews and analyzing existing media applications to enhance mental health interventions. The study emphasizes the critical role of "Mentalku" in promoting healthier social media practices and providing easy access to mental health support. To ensure the successful implementation of the application, the involvement of various stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, mental health professionals, app developers, local communities, NGOs, and the general public is essential. Through collaborative efforts, "Mentalku" has the potential to be a vital tool in reducing mental health disorders among adolescents and supporting national mental health initiatives.

1. Introduction 1.

1. Research Background 

based on data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (2021) there were around 19.7 million individuals in Indonesia who experienced mental health disorders, showing a significant increase from 14.7 million in 2020. Of that number, around 10.7 million people experienced anxiety disorders, 5.3 million experienced depression, and 1.8 million experienced bipolar disorder. The prevalence of anxiety disorders among adolescents reached 9.8%, while the prevalence of depressive disorders reached 8.5%. A survey conducted by the Health Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Health in 2019 indicated that 25.4% of adolescents in Indonesia experienced mental health disorders [1]. Research by the University of Indonesia (2018) found that 69.3% of adolescents experience mental health disorders due to excessive use of social media, which is associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness [4].
Research by Putri et al. (2018) also identified that women are more susceptible to symptoms of depression due to social media use, especially when experiencing online harassment, lack of sleep, low self-esteem, and negative body image. Projections in 2024 show that the number of people with mental disorders in Indonesia will reach 3.24 million people, showing a significant increase from previous years. This increase is influenced by various factors, including social, economic, and environmental pressures [11].
In Lampung Province, mental health problems are also a serious issue. Data from the Lampung Provincial Health Office shows a high need for intervention for people with severe mental disorders (ODGJ) in various districts/cities [8]. The high suicide rate, such as the case of a student in Rajabasa, Bandar Lampung who was found hanging, reflects a critical mental health condition due to life pressures, economic difficulties, lack of social support, and stress that is not handled properly [7]. Barriers to access to mental health services, including limited facilities, social stigma, and lack of resources, also worsen this condition [2].
Until now, there have been no concrete policies or significant actions taken by the Lampung Provincial Government to adequately address these escalating mental health issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more targeted and strategic interventions that can effectively mitigate the problem. The "Mentalku" application emerges as an innovative and practical solution to help alleviate stress, particularly among teenagers, and plays a crucial role in the larger framework of efforts to address mental health concerns across Lampung Province.

1.2. Problem Formulation 

1) What is the best practice in reduce mental health cases in adolescents? 

2) How do mental health apps reduce mental health cases in adolescents? 

1.3. Research Objective 

1) To find the best practices in preventing mental health cases in adolescents. 

2) To find out how mental health applications can reduce the prevention of mental health cases in adolescents


2. Material and Methods

The type of research method used in this paper is qualitative descriptive research method. This method is often used in qualitative research, especially for descriptive studies. This kind of approach is widely applied in the field of Social Phenomenology. This research also utilizes the library study method, which is an approach that involves collecting data from various written sources. The data is obtained through the process of reading, recording, and processing relevant research materials. The data sources used include academic journals, textbooks, websites, scientific articles, and other literature related to mental health issues. In addition, in this writing, an analysis of various media applications that have the potential to be developed as partners in developing applications that focus on mental health is carried out. 

The steps taken include data collection, data processing, to compiling a concept that integrates all findings into a coherent whole. Furthermore, an analysis of the research results that have been obtained is carried out, focusing on adolescents as the community that is the target user of the application.

3. Result and Discussion 

The "Mentalku" application is designed to address the rising prevalence of stress, particularly linked to the excessive use of social media among the general public, with a specific focus on teenagers and the younger generation. As a technological solution, "Mentalku" is tailored to help manage and reduce stress levels, offering an accessible platform for mental health support. The goal of this application is to provide users with a digital tool that allows them to seek mental health assistance quickly and easily, while also promoting more balanced and responsible social media usage. Through its features, "Mentalku" aims to empower individuals to adopt healthier habits and better cope with the emotional challenges posed by the digital world.

3.1. Features of Mentalku

The "Mentalku" application is equipped with superior features that are easy to use. These superior features are as follows: 

1) Home Home is the main page of the "Mentalku" application which contains a list of other features and is equipped with a homepage. 

2) Online Counseling Services This application can offer online counseling services with trained and certified mental health experts. Users can make appointments with counselors and conduct counseling sessions online through the application. 

3) Discussion Forum This application can provide a discussion forum for users to talk to other users who are experiencing similar mental health problems. Users can share experiences, provide support, and get advice from other users. 

4) Mental Health Articles This application can offer articles about mental health and related problems, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. These articles can help users gain a better understanding of their condition and get advice on how to manage their mental health. 

5) Tips and Tricks This application can provide tips and tricks on how to maintain mental health, such as meditation, relaxation, exercise, and adequate sleep. Users can use these tips and tricks to improve their mental health. 

6) Emotional and Psychological Support This application can offer emotional and psychological support from mental health experts and other users. Users can get the support they need from people who understand and care about their condition. 

7) Education Education is a feature used by users of the "Mentalku" application to learn about what mental health is, its various categories, symptoms, causes, and how to treat it. 

8) Meditation The meditation feature in the Mentalku application is designed to help users relax, improve focus, and maintain mental health. In the Mentalku application, it facilitates users in terms of mediation, namely Relaxation with music is one effective way to calm the mind and body. 

3.2. Work Mechanism 

The Mentalku application is designed to be accessible to all levels of society, especially teenagers, with the main goal of supporting their mental health. This application offers an easily accessible and interactive approach, so that users can experience a comfortable and effective experience in maintaining mental well-being. To be able to utilize the features available in the Mentalku application, users need to register first via the sign-up menu. After registration, they will get full access to the various services provided. A more detailed explanation of how the Mentalku application works as a whole can be seen in the following scheme:

Users who have registered on the "Mentalku" application can take advantage of the various superior features offered. Users can access online counseling services with certified mental health experts to conduct virtual counseling sessions. In addition, there is a discussion forum where users can share experiences and get support from fellow users who are experiencing similar mental health problems. Users can also read the mental health articles provided, which discuss related problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Other features include tips and tricks for maintaining mental health, such as meditation, exercise, and getting enough sleep. This application is also equipped with mental health monitoring features such as mood trackers and mental health journals, which help users monitor their condition. For users who need further education, there is educational material about mental health, symptoms, and how to handle it. The "Mentalku" application also offers emotional support from counselors and fellow users, so that users get comprehensive support. 

3.3. Implementation Strategy 

1) Preparation Stage This stage is the stage for collecting information, observation, and cooperation with related parties and preparing facilities and infrastructure. 

2) Design Stage At this stage, the "Mentalku" application is designed and realized by related parties with various superior features that are easy to use. 

3) Trial Stage. The trial aims to ensure that the "Mentalku" application can work as expected. 

4) Socialization Stage This socialization is carried out by providing instructions for use and how the "Mentalku" application works and introducing the features it has. 

5) Monitoring and Evaluation Stage The monitoring stage aims to review the obstacles that occur when operating the "Mentalku" application.

3.4. Parties Involved 

In implementing this idea, a collective effort is needed from various parties in a synergistic and comprehensive manner. The parties involved in the implementation of the "Mentalku" application are: 

1) Ministry of Health Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the "Mentalku" application and conducting socialization to psychologists, the general public and other parties. 

2) Application Developer The party responsible for creating the application, starting from planning, design, development, testing, and launching the application. Preparation Design Trial Socialization Monitoring 

3) Mental Health and Psychologist Team The party responsible for providing information and support to application users who need help in maintaining their mental health and as a partner to make it easier for users to consult regarding their mental health conditions. 

4) Marketing Team The party in charge of promoting the application so that it can be known andused by the public. 

5) Health Service Providers Parties tasked with providing mental health support and care to application users who need more intensive assistance. 

6) Local Communities and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Local communities and Non- Governmental Organizations play a role in promoting the "Mentalku" application through mental health education and campaigns, expanding the application's reach, and supporting stress reduction in the community 

7) The Community Plays an active role in developing the "Mentalku" application by becoming active users and promoting the "Mentalku" application to other communities. 

4. Conclusion 

"Mentalku" is an innovative digital solution designed to reduce stress and mental health issues, particularly among teenagers affected by excessive social media use. With features such as online counseling, discussion forums, and mental health monitoring, the app provides easily accessible support and promotes healthier social media habits. To ensure successful implementation, it is crucial for the government to integrate and support this app within the national mental health programs, while developers should focus on improving features and being responsive to users' needs. Local communities and NGOs should increase promotion and education about the app and mental health, while society is encouraged to actively utilize the app and contribute to creating a supportive environment for mental well- being.

5. Acknowledgment 

The author would like to express his deepest gratitude to Intan Fitri Meutia, S.A.N., M.A., Ph.D, as the supervisor in conducting this research, especially for her patience, enthusiasm, and criticism that were beneficial to this research. We dedicate this research entirely to the advancement of education in Indonesia and the development of social ideas in reducing the number of cases of adolescent mental health. Nothing is more important to the author in completing this project than the people who played a major role in this work. Therefore, the author would like to thank all parties who have contributed and been involved in the preparation of this work.

6. Reference 

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Ditulis Oleh

Muhammad Shafwan Assalam Sofia Tasya Ade Kurnia Febiyona Karinsa Muhammad Abdul Fattah Al Haffizh

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