During The Pandemic Many People Consult Via Telemedicine To Psychologists

illustration of telemedicine services (doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic creates uncertainty which has an impact on mental health problems that continue to increase. This can be seen from the increasing number of psychologist consultations through telemedicine services.

"The number of psychologist consultations in our application has increased 7 times compared to April or the beginning of the pandemic," said Danu Wicaksana, Managing Director of Good Doctor Technology Indonesia, as quoted by Antara , Friday, October 16.

Good Doctor Technology Indonesia (Good Doctor) and AXA Financial Indonesia launched a free "AXA Mental Health Teleconsultation" program for AXA Financial Indonesia insurance policyholders in commemoration of World Mental Health Day.

The launch of this service is expected to help provide solutions to mental health problems in Indonesia, which are becoming increasingly important in the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

"Through our strategic partnership with insurance provider AXA Financial Indonesia, Good Doctor's telemedicine service in GrabHealth can be a" safe space "for those who need mental health consultations, because our consulting services are available 24/7 and can directly connect users and clinical psychologist partners. privately, "explained Danu.

In this partnership, Good Doctor was appointed as a telemedicine provider to answer mental health questions for AXA Financial Indonesia insurance users. Insurance users can consult unlimitedly with a general practitioner and consult a psychologist within 3 months free of charge or three times free.

The Association of Indonesian Mental Medicine Specialists (PDSKJI) 1 conducted a psychological self-examination survey which was attended by 4,010 respondents from all over Indonesia. The survey results showed that 65 percent of respondents admitted to having anxiety, 62 percent experienced depression, and 80 percent showed symptoms of psychological trauma caused by unpleasant experiences related to the pandemic.

PDSKJI also said that people who do mental health consultations often get a negative stigma, which makes them uncomfortable to check their mental health. In fact, there are many types of mental disorders, ranging from depression and anxiety disorders to mild and chronic psychological disorders.

In terms of the availability of psychologists, the Indonesian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IPK) said that currently there are only 2,782 clinical psychologists in Indonesia. As many as 70 percent are on the island of Java, 20 percent are concentrated in Jakarta.

This means that there is only 1 psychologist for 90,000 people in Indonesia, while the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 1 psychologist serving 30,000 people.