ULM Psychologist Highlights Teen Suicide Cases in Banjarbaru, Emphasizes Importance of Social Support
Banjarbaru – Two suicide cases occurring within less than a week in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, have drawn widespread attention. Both victims, who were students at a state high school in Banjarbaru, were found dead by hanging.
The first case involved a 16-year-old male student, MN, who was found on Saturday (1/2/2025) at 09:15 WITA at Embung Lukodat, Landasan Ulin. Just three days later, a 16-year-old female student, IQ, also ended her life in a similar manner in her kitchen on Tuesday (4/2/2025) at 17:53 WITA.
Rika Vira Zwagery, a lecturer and psychologist from the Psychology Study Program at Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM), responded to this phenomenon by highlighting the unstable psychological condition of teenagers who are easily influenced by their social environment.
“Teenagers are in a phase of emotional development that is not yet stable, so when facing pressure or problems, they often struggle to control their emotions and find the right solutions,” said Rika.
She emphasized that the role of the social environment, especially peers, is significant in shaping the psychological condition of teenagers.
“Most of a teenager’s time is spent with peers. If they experience rejection or conflict in their social relationships, it can greatly impact their emotional state,” she explained.
According to her, teenagers who fail to build healthy social relationships tend to experience feelings of disappointment, sadness, or even depression.
In addition to environmental factors, Rika also highlighted the importance of problem-solving skills.
“Everyone has problems and life pressures, but the response to these problems varies. Some can handle them well, while others may not have effective problem-solving skills, leading them to choose the wrong way,” she added.
She also stressed that violence, bullying, and other harmful behaviors can have serious psychological impacts on victims. Therefore, she urged all parties to address bullying cases with a multisystem approach involving schools, families, and the social environment.
Regarding the two suicide cases in Banjarbaru, Rika emphasized that further assessment is needed to determine the factors influencing these tragic decisions. However, more importantly, preventive efforts must be made to prevent similar cases from recurring.
“We need to focus on preventive measures, such as educating teenagers about the negative impacts of harmful behaviors, both towards themselves and others,” she said.
In conclusion, she reminded that teenagers experiencing pressure should not hesitate to seek help from professionals.
“When facing problems that feel difficult, do not hesitate to seek help, either from trusted individuals or psychologists, to find healthier solutions,” she concluded.
