UNAIR NEWS – The moment of citizens casting their votes in the General Election to choose legislative candidates has just wrapped. They strive for the votes as people’s representatives in the legislative. For obvious reasons, they are highly hopeful of winning the legislative seats.
However, when the preliminary results were announced, many legislative candidates found themselves facing new challenges. Victory may bring significant responsibility, while defeat can impact their psychological well-being. Short videos on social media depicting a legislative candidate experiencing stress due to not receiving votes have been widely circulated. Atika Dian Ariana MSc MPsi, a Psychology expert from Universitas Airlangga, responds to the phenomenon.
“Stress is the perception when someone faces a situation that they believe cannot be handled with the available resources. Pressure and feelings of shame arise due to unmet expectations,” she said.
Pressure and symptoms
The issue is highly complex as the involvement of legislative candidates includes many parties, from family, political parties, and colleagues, to campaign teams. The fear increases if the candidacy involves material values. Atika mentions that feelings of failure and a decrease in self-worth are often associated with an individual’s perception of their character.
Failed legislative candidates often develop negative self-perceptions, feeling inadequate and lacking the competence for success in politics. Environmental validation, including negative comments or bullying in netizen comment sections, further exacerbates their concerns.
Symptoms of stress involve changes in eating patterns, sleep disturbances, social isolation, emotional changes such as significant anxiety and sadness, and physical responses such as digestive issues. Cognitive symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of focus.
Be aware of your mental health
Atika emphasized the importance of social support for mental health during challenging times. Receiving attention provides comfort, and engaging in small discussions helps gain different perspectives, leading to alternative solutions. Persistent stressors without proper management result in a significant decline in mental well-being, such as depression.
She asserted that the strategies for preserving mental and physical well-being are quite similar. These encompass embracing a nutritious diet, ensuring sufficient sleep, participating in regular physical exercise, and enhancing self-awareness to comprehend needs, recognize personal limitations, and seek suitable social support. It is advisable for young individuals to proactively seek companionship in a healthy environment. Allocating time for periodic self-reflection and self-evaluation is encouraged.
“Taking care of oneself and maintaining mental health is crucial for our well-being. If one is unable to recover on their own, seeking professional help, such as from a psychologist or psychiatrist, is highly recommended. Expressing oneself during difficult times is a way of showing self-love,” she emphasized.
Author: Mutiara Rachmi Karenina
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
