Mental Health Talk with Afgan

#MentalHealth ❤️‍🩹 is a topic we all need to take seriously, and there’s no better time to discuss it than during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Recently, I had the opportunity to help organize an insightful💡 event at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, where Afgan, a prominent Indonesian public figure, shared his mental health journey with Indonesian students living abroad.

Ambassador Bapak Suryo Pratomo 🇮🇩 opened the event. He emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health issues to the audience. Pak Tommy, as he is affectionately known, encouraged the Indonesian students, who are working hard and striving for success far from home, that they are not alone and to persevere and not give up. Students today are fortunate to have supportive groups like PPI Singapura (Indonesian Students’ Association in Singapore) as part of their support system.

The highlight of the evening was Afgan’s talk, where he opened up about his career, his battles with introversion, and how he navigates fame. He emphasized the importance of establishing boundaries and having a strong support network, especially in today’s constant social media consumption 🤳.

The event concluded with Afgan performing one of his hit songs. This was part of his Asia Tour, where he promoted his new EP, Sonder. I’m grateful to have played a small role by using my expertise and international network to help him connect with a global audience.

[Bahasa Indonesia]

Baru-baru ini, saya berkesempatan untuk membantu menyelenggarakan acara yang penuh wawasan di Indonesian Embassy Singapore, di mana Afgansyah Reza, seorang figur publik Indonesia yang terkenal, membagikan perjalanan kesehatan mentalnya kepada para pelajar Indonesia yang tinggal di luar negeri.

Duta Besar Bapak Suryo Pratomo membuka acara ini. Beliau menekankan urgensi dalam menangani masalah kesehatan mental kepada para hadirin. Pak Tommy, begitu beliau dikenal, memberikan semangat kepada para pelajar Indonesia di Singapura yang berjuang keras dan berusaha meraih sukses jauh dari rumah, bahwa mereka tidak sendirian, serta mengingatkan untuk tetap tekun dan pantang menyerah. Para pelajar saat ini beruntung memiliki ‘supporting system’ seperti PPI Singapura (Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia di Singapura) yang sering menyelenggarakan event seru.

Tentunya, yang paling seru malam itu adalah pembicaraan dari Afgan, di mana ia berbagi tentang kariernya, perjuangannya menyeimbangkan antara dirinya yang introvert dengan menghadapi ketenaran yang dia dapatkan. Afgan menekankan pentingnya menetapkan batasan dalam bergaul dan memiliki jaringan dukungan yang kuat, terutama di era konsumsi media sosial yang konstan .