22-9-2023 (JAKARTA) In 2015, IT engineer Audrey Maximilian Herli was attending university in Surabaya when he discovered that a close female friend was silently struggling with personal problems and traumas. Frustrated and seeking help, she turned to social media, only to be dismissed and bullied by peers and online commenters, pushing her further into depression. Witnessing her distress, Herli realized that people with mental health issues often face stigmatization and discrimination in Indonesia, which explains why his friend had never sought professional help. Motivated by this experience, Herli co-founded Riliv, a mental health platform, in 2015. Riliv is one of nine platforms that have emerged in Indonesia in recent years, including Bicarakan.id and Psikologimu.
These platforms have provided access to mental health professionals for hundreds of thousands of Indonesians, including those living in remote areas where therapists are scarce. The founders of these platforms believe that technology can overcome Indonesia’s low mental health awareness and shortage of professionals by offering online consultations and other mental wellness services. Riliv, Bicarakan.id, and Psikologimu, which operate through apps and websites, have made it easier for individuals to connect with psychologists and psychiatrists.
Bicarakan.id founder Andreas Handini was also motivated by personal experience. After struggling with childhood traumas, he sought therapy for six months in 2019 and successfully managed his emotions. Inspired by his own transformation, Handini established Bicarakan.id to encourage others to seek professional help. However, psychologists are scarce in Indonesia, with only 2,800 clinical psychologists and 1,200 psychiatrists serving a population of 270 million. In contrast, the United States and Japan have significantly higher numbers of mental health professionals.
The scarcity of psychologists in Indonesia led Nova Ariyanto Jono, the founder of Psikologimu, to create the platform. Jono, a human resource consultant with a psychology degree, struggled to find a psychologist himself, even in Jakarta. The limited availability of mental health professionals creates barriers for Indonesians seeking help. A 2018 study by the Indonesian Health Ministry revealed that over 12 million individuals over the age of 15 experienced different levels of depression, yet less than three percent sought professional help.
The consequences of undiagnosed mental health issues can be severe, with the Indonesian national police recording at least 640 cases of suicide between January and July of this year, a 31 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. However, experts believe that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual number of suicides, as many cases go undocumented.
The founders of Riliv, Bicarakan.id, and Psikologimu believe that technology can break down barriers and provide access to psychologists for people across Indonesia. Online consultations enable individuals to connect with psychologists from different parts of the country without leaving their homes, overcoming geographical limitations. The affordability of these platforms is also a major factor, as in-person consultations can be expensive, costing up to 700,000 rupiah (US$45) for a one-hour session.
The convenience and affordability of mental health platforms have attracted first-time clients, particularly college students and young professionals. Online services are becoming popular among individuals who have never sought help from psychologists before. However, online consultations have limitations compared to in-person sessions, as therapists have limited observation and may miss subtle cues.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for mental health services, leading to a surge in users on these platforms. The pandemic-induced stress and lifestyle changes have affected people’s mental well-being, prompting them to seek accessible mental health support. Riliv, Bicarakan.id, and Psikologimu have seen remarkable growth during the pandemic, with Riliv approaching its millionth user and Bicarakan.id serving over 150,000 users.
While mental health awareness has improved, the user base of these platforms still predominantly consists of people under the age of 35 living in major Indonesian cities. Public awareness of mental health in rural areas remains low, and data on mental health issues in these regions is limited. The scarcity of mental health professionals in Indonesia may be attributed to the lack of awareness and low demand for their services. However, as mental health awareness increases, the demand for psychologists and psychiatrists is expected to rise.
To ensure the quality of their services, Riliv, Bicarakan.id, and Psikologimu only allow licensed psychologists to join their platforms. They work closely with the Indonesian Psychologists Association (HIMPSI) to regulate the profession. The CEOs of these platforms believe that as mental health awareness continues to improve, more people will recognize the benefits of seeking professional help.
While Riliv aims to expand its business into untapped markets, Bicarakan.id focuses on enhancing service quality and offers in-person consultations in Jakarta. Psikologimu differentiates itself by providing 24/7 consultations and ongoing support to clients beyondtheir initial sessions.
Overall, the emergence of mental health platforms like Riliv, Bicarakan.id, and Psikologimu in Indonesia has provided much-needed access to mental health professionals for a population facing stigma and a shortage of professionals. These platforms leverage technology to overcome geographical and financial barriers, making mental health services more accessible and affordable. With the increasing demand for mental health support, these platforms have the potential to play a significant role in improving the mental well-being of Indonesians.
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