JAKARTA, Indonesia (MNTV) – Mental health is emerging as one of Indonesia’s most pressing public health challenges, with millions of citizens affected yet still lacking access to adequate care, reports Independent Observer.
Recent estimates indicating that up to one in ten Indonesians may experience a mental health disorder have intensified national debate, pushing the issue higher on the government’s health agenda and prompting renewed calls from professionals for systemic reform.
During a work meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR), Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 1 in 8 to 10 people are expected to experience a mental health disorder.
Given Indonesia’s population of approximately 280 million, this translates to roughly 28 million people—a staggering figure that has recently captured significant public attention.
The Indonesian Psychiatrists Association (PDSKJI) views this statement as a reflection of the government’s increasing attention and concern for mental health issues as an important part of the national health agenda, said PDSKJI Chairman Dr. Agung Frijanto.
He emphasized that this estimate represents epidemiological data that “needs to be interpreted proportionally” to serve as a foundation for policy planning, service system enhancement, and the development of promotive and preventive efforts. For PDSKJI, the figure of 28 million Indonesians serves as a vital “basis for strengthening national mental health planning and services”.
However, the penetration of mental health services in Indonesia remains relatively low, exacerbated by high regional disparities. This gap means many in need of professional help remain untreated.
He stressed that “strengthening and equalizing the role of psychiatrists is a crucial need” to ensure that mental health care is handled in a manner that is both “sustainable and equitable”.
In response to national mental health challenges and the growing government concern for these issues, PDSKJI recommends the following ten strategic steps to overhaul the mental health landscape:
Strengthening mental health promotion efforts. Public campaigns and mental health literacy must be systematically improved. The goal is to build community mental resilience through efforts that span a lifetime, from early childhood through old age.
Strengthening mental health disorder prevention efforts. Prevention should not be confined to hospitals; it must be integrated across sectors, including education, employment, and social protection. This is vital to reducing the risk of chronic stress and mitigating psychosocial impacts.
Early detection in primary care. To catch issues before they escalate, early detection must be bolstered in primary healthcare facilities. This requires the implementation of standardized, evidence-based screening as a routine part of general health checkups.
Developing community-based mental health services. Given the tip of the iceberg phenomenon—where many cases remain hidden—services must reach beyond formal clinics. Community-based services are essential to support at-risk groups who currently lack access to care.
Developing neuroscience-based mental health policies. National policies should be grounded in a neuroscientific understanding of brain function. This includes a focus on emotional regulation and the physiological mechanisms triggered by chronic stress.
Strengthening the referral system and continuity of services. The referral pathway must be streamlined to ensure interventions are timely, continuous, and coordinated across all levels of care, preventing patients from falling through the cracks.
Strengthening the role of psychiatrists. Psychiatrists should be optimally involved in the national system. Their expertise is critical for establishing accurate diagnoses, determining comprehensive interventions, and actively preventing chronicity and disability.
Equitable distribution and access to psychiatrists. The government must address the low penetration of mental health services and the high disparity between regions. Strategic distribution policies are needed to ensure that mental health care is not a luxury reserved for urban centers.
Comprehensive and function-oriented recovery. Treatment should prioritize a combination of medical, psychosocial, and environmental support. The ultimate goal is not just symptom management, but a restoration of social and occupational function, allowing patients to return to their daily lives.
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration and a stigma-free narrative. Managing mental health requires a united front across different sectors. This must be supported by an educational and stigma-free public narrative that reclaims mental health as a medical rather than a moral issue.