Psychologist: Prioritize Your Mental Health to Help Others

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Helping other people in facing suicidal thoughts by showing empathy is important. However, we need to be in a healthy condition as well.

Psychologist Zarina Akbar from the State University of Jakarta said there are many consequences when we help other people. So, people need to be healthy and prioritize their well-being first.

"We protect ourselves so we can avoid the emotional drain," she said in an interview with RRI Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

Zarina Akbar said any kind of interaction, including supporting people with mental health issues, go both ways. When the interaction goes one way to them only, people who are trying to support them might become drained from putting more effort.

Not only that, the processing should be done together. She said that even professionals are there just to facilitate the release of those negative emotions.

"So it's not our full effort to give the best suggestion for them," she said. It is because they actually know what is supposed to be done.

Zarina Akbar then encouraged people with suicidal thoughts to seek help from many sources. This can come from suicide hotlines, family, and friends.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. If you are facing hardship and suicidal thoughts, please consider reaching out to your loved ones and seeking help from professionals.