Having to deal with depression and anxiety or any mental illness in general in a place full of ignorance who view mental health issue as a simple craziness or laziness is extremely difficult. This is because society in general has stereotyped views about mental illness and how it affects people. Many people believe that mentally ill are violent and dangerous, when in fact we are more at risk of being attacked or harming ourselves than harming other people.
"Mental illness" Two words that cause people to cast judgement or turn away. Especially here, in Indonesia, thousands of mentally ill individuals are in chains. It's a place where some still view the mentally ill as lacking in faith or being possessed by demons. Families will consult with local shamans instead of doctors, or hire religious leaders to conduct exorcisms to clean the curses and demons from the spirits of the mentally ill.
I am beyond tired of hearing people call out the mentally ill individuals , and bluntly tell us to get over it, or just simply "have faith".
Not to mention that it's so difficult to go and ask for professional help because majority of people will most likely judge and it's just not at all helping.
Someone who suffers from depression is sometimes seen as a normal and happy person. They don't reach out because they are aware of what people are most likely going to tell them, and suicide seems to be the only way to overcome their distress. What I am going to say is, that if you by any chances see someone suffering from any form of depressions, or is in need of extra love, please be kind to them. If they tell you they're depressed, tell them it's okay to feel what they're feeling, it's okay to feel not okay, it's okay to seek for help and tell them that it will not last forever, even if it doesn't feel that way. Tell them to hang in there for a little bit longer and be there for them. Never call them out for complaining, you'll never know how hard it is for them to be tough and not to end their lives.
