Community Counseling Strategies to Improve Mental Health Literacy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze community counseling strategies to increase public's awareness of mental health services litercay. The research method uses a cross sectional survey design. The respondens of this study includes all Indonesian people who participate in filling out online surveys.  Incidental sampling technique use this study amounted to 339 respondents with an age range of 13 -50 years from various cities in Indonesia. Data were collected using a community awareness instrument for mental health services. Data collection implements an internet-based survey through the account Sobat Konseling. Data analysis using descriptive statistics. The results showed that respondens really care about mental health after reading various information about it because they think mental health is very important. But respondens do not understand the symptoms of mental disorders and do not yet have experienced symptoms of mental disorders and have little understanding of the function of mental health professional services so that only 1.47% of respondents chose to consult a professional counselor and the others choose to consult with friends, family or never consult. This research is a reference for Community Counseling to have a strategy in increasing knowledge and skills in identifying mental disorders. As well as building trust and understanding of the functions and experiences of counselors in handling psychological disorders through online counseling services.