Almost everyone has suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in the midst of this uncertainty, many people are able to survive and even thrive.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·5 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The uncertainty resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of many people.. An adaptable and flexible approach with positive thinking is the key to get through the crisis.
At the start of the pandemic, the hydroponic and organic farming business owned by Difva Asthabrata R (38) through Jhivaka Hidden Garden Bintaro in South Tangerang, experienced challenges. The closure of restaurants and hotels severely affected his business as he could no longer sell the vegetables he produced for them. He then changed his marketing strategy by selling his vegetables to the people around his house.
People’s reluctance to shop at the market became an opportunity for him. "Farming activities must be continued as workers have to be paid. Like it or not, I have to market the vegetables myself,” said Difva on Monday (12/4/2021).
Over a year into the pandemic, the urban farming business run by Difva has been growing well. Now, he can supply a number of small vegetable stalls. In fact, he got an investor to manage 1 hectare of farming area in Jasinga, Bogor, West Java.
I tried to remain logical and adapt quickly because there were many things I had to consider, especially the workers.
Iswanda Mardio (38), the co-founder of the Steak Hotel by Holycow restaurant also had a similar experience. At the beginning of the pandemic, he increased meat stocks 1.5 times the normal amount in anticipation of a surge in demand during the Ramadan fasting month last year. However, at that time the government imposed large-scale social restrictions, which caused the business to practically come to a standstill. He and his team had to rack their brains to sell the large meat stock.
Business diversification was carried out. From the restaurant business, they switched to selling frozen steaks. This strategy keeps the business running even though the turnover has dropped considerably. But between 30 percent and 40 percent of the workers can be maintained.
"People say: For businesspeople, you’re lucky if you have not gone crazy. I tried to remain logical and adapt quickly because there were many things I had to consider, especially the workers," he said.
KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA
The pandemic has also brought a trend in gardening for urban residents, one of which is planting hydroponic vegetables in Ngesrep Village, Tembalang District, Semarang City, Central Java, Saturday (20/3/2021). In addition to meeting their needs, they sell the rest of the crop.
Adaptability and flexibility are the keys to getting through the pandemic. There are many difficulties that can be turned into opportunities so that they can be used to get out of the problems.
"The key is the willingness to be flexible," said a clinical psychologist and lecturer at the School of Psychology, University of Indonesia, Depok, Adityawarman Menaldi. Being unable to adapt will create challenges.
Big challenge
However, this flexible and adaptable attitude is a big challenge for millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) and generation Z (born 1997-2012) who have a “follow your passion” way of life.
According to Adityawarman, there is no problem if the people want to keep working according to their interests and passion during a pandemic, as long as they can optimally use their soft skills, such as the ability to communicate, work together, manage their time and to adapt quickly. "Adaptable and flexible characters are formed through parental education or life experiences that a person has gone through," he said.
The adaptation process was also carried out by Ostrad (23), a psychology student at a private university in Bandung, West Java. Being bored staying at a boarding house as most of his colleagues went home following the closure of their schools and the desire to meet friends as well as fear of failure in his study made him stressed.
Three months after the pandemic began; Ostrad chose to take part in a charity movement to share food with the homeless in Bandung. Meeting community members and walking down the verandah of the shops to distribute wrapped rice meals can help him to release his stress and anxiety.
Kompas
Doctor Ratna Dewi (right) serves patients at the Curhat Clinic, Krian Health Center (Puskesmas), Thursday (1/10/2020). Mental health checks and counseling are part of the services provided by the Krian Puskesmas.
Since two weeks ago, Ostrad has also begun selling chicken porridge with his friend. With an initial capital of Rp 1.5 million he took from the monthly pocket money sent by his parents. Selling regularly in the morning makes his life more organized and fosters responsibility.
Dahlan (23) who has been unemployed for six months has a different way of coping with the anxiety due to the pandemic. He regularly chats with friends not only to share experience but also to talk about business ideas. The mushrooming of cafes has opened a business opportunity to distribute coffee produced by farmers in Bandung and Garut regencies.
"You have to be brave enough to go into plantations to find quality coffee. As long as you have the will, there will be an opportunity to thrive, ”he said.
The psychiatrist at the Melinda 2 Hospital Bandung, Teddy Hidayat, reminded that young people should avoid aloofness in order to prevent depression. Taking part in social activities or sports, while maintaining health protocols, can help channel the adrenaline. It will also have a positive impact on mind and body.
As long as you have the will, there will be an opportunity to thrive.
The pandemic has tested people’s mental toughness. Support from family and the community is quite important cope with the stressful situation.
"During the pandemic, everything is conducted online, we cannot interact directly. As a result, there is lack of attachment with others. In that situation, the role of the family becomes quite important, “said Diana Setiyawati, the director of Community Mental Health Center, the School of Psychology, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta.
The handling of young people’s mental health must be integrated. Apart from families and communities, the government also plays an important role in providing adequate mental health assistance and in creating consistent policies. ( TA M / E L N/ M ZW/ S K A )
This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.
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