Discussion
A Stream Under the Table

Discussion on Mental Health and Media

26.05.2018 | 2 - 4 PM
Komunitas Salihara

Dwi Asrul Fajar’s photo series A Stream Under the Table offers a glimpse into the lives of people who have been diagnosed as schizophrenic, bipolar, live with depression or borderline personality disorder. Starting point of Fajar’s reflection was a recent research by Human Rights Watch into the precarious situation of people living with mental health issues in Indonesia. In many societies people living with mental illness struggle with stigmatization. 

Social media has added yet new layers to the topic of mental health. Many, especially young people are at risk to experience the downsides of being at all times connected to their peers through social media: online bullying and the pressures of constantly comparing themselves to others’ fabricated online lives make them more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. On the other hand, social media has giving those struggling with mental health a powerful tool to create their own narrative, speak out, build communities and empower each other.

In the discussion photographer Dwi Asrul Fajar, Vindya Ariella, founder of Bipolar Care Indonesia and living with the diagnosis bipolar herself, as well as psychologist Addi Chandra will speak about the various perspectives on living with mental illness, advocating for acceptance and open exchange on the topic and the interconnectedness of mental health and media.