JAKARTA — In addition to campaigning for the Sustainable and Empowering Batik Movement empowerment program, amid the excitement of the Pesta Semalam Minggu Vol. 5 music concert at Ancol Ecopark, Sunday (27/10/2024), Dompet Dhuafa also opened mental health counselling services. This counselling session was packaged in the form of a podcast with a psychologist, namely Prapti Leguminosa, M.Psi, which was open to concert goers.
On this occasion, host Prapti Leguminosa or who is familiarly called Legum, talked to Hani, a single parent who has three children. Two of her children are now adults, while the other one is still five years old. Hani shared that she had been preparing to watch this concert since a week ago, even going so far as to apply for leave from work and set aside pocket money.
Hani admits that she is an avid concertgoer. Almost every month he makes time to watch music events. If there’s no concert, she’ll do karaoke to unwind.
‘For me, watching a concert is fun. I can shout, laugh, and move. It makes me feel tired and the stress goes away,’ Hani said enthusiastically.
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According to Hani, watching concerts makes her feel refreshed, like she’s been exercising, and helps clear her mind. Legum adds that music has many psychological benefits, including triggering the release of the hormone dopamine, which makes people feel happy.
‘Music can be an effective way to relieve stress,’ explained the psychology lecturer.
Hani also recognises that problems can come from various sources. Such as work, fatigue, or household problems. She believes that everyone has the right to vent their feelings where they deem appropriate, while still maintaining norms and health boundaries. According to her, it is very important to maintain mental health. Expressing, such as screaming and having fun, can be a form of healing to relieve stress.
Legum went on to say that, based on various studies, music not only helps one relieve stress, but also strengthens social relationships. People are more likely to meet a new friend or friends who share the same frequency.
Although Hani chooses music as a means to release stress, she also emphasises the importance of getting closer to Allah. Legum also emphasises that listening to music has many positive effects, including helping us sleep better and improving our focus at work.
‘Whatever emotion we are experiencing, whether happy or sad, we should be able to accept it. With upbeat music, we can find our positive mood again,’ says Legum.
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Hani’s choice to de-stress may be an inspiration to many. She shows that despite facing many challenges, she still tries to maintain a balance in life. She makes time for worship, children, work, and herself.
‘Mental health is not always measured by money. If something is good for us, then it doesn’t matter,’ Legum explains.
Hani adds, ‘To maintain mental health, we know best what makes us happy. Follow your heart, because it is a tribute to yourself. Happiness is within us’.
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Legum reiterated, ‘Happiness is within us. There is no point in comparing ourselves with others, because that will only obscure our identity. If you want to be happy, find happiness within yourself’.
Hani closed the conversation with an important message: ‘Don’t put our happiness on things we can’t control, like other people’s judgement. If watching a concert makes me happy, then I will keep doing it to relieve stress’.
From Hani’s story, we are reminded that true happiness comes from within and that everyone has the right to find their own way to celebrate life. Friends of Dompet Dhuafa can watch the full broadcast of Hani’s story on the Ngetem Dompet Dhuafa Podcast Programme on the DDTV youtube channel. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika