28 Million Indonesians Experience Mental Health Problems, IPB University Faculty of Medicine Lecturer: Reasonable
The statement by the Indonesian Minister of Health indicating that around 28 million Indonesians experience mental health problems is considered still reasonable. This assessment was conveyed by a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, IPB University, dr Riati Sri Hartini, SpKJ, MSc, a psychiatrist, in response to the viral statement.
dr Riati stated that various data show the number of people experiencing mental health problems is indeed very large. Nevertheless, she emphasized that the figure needs to be understood carefully.
“That number is highly dependent on what is meant by mental health problems and from which year the data were taken,” she said in a written interview with the IPB Today Editorial Team in Bogor, (1/24).
According to dr Riati, what matters most is not merely the size of the number, but the clarity of its meaning. She questioned whether mental health problems refer only to severe mental disorders or also include stress, anxiety, and other emotional disturbances.
“However, regardless of the definition, the figure shows that mental health is a serious issue experienced by millions of people in Indonesia and requires more earnest handling,” she stressed.
From Children to Workers
dr Riati explained that there are several groups within society that face a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems. These include children and adolescents who are still in the process of emotional and identity development and are vulnerable to academic pressure, social interactions, bullying, and the influence of social media.
In addition, individuals of productive age or workers are also at risk. Work demands, targets, competition, and family economic problems they often face can trigger stress, anxiety, and depression. Women are considered more vulnerable due to biological factors such as hormonal influences, dual roles at home and in the workplace, as well as relational pressures and psychological violence.
Urban communities are also identified as being at risk due to fast paced living, high levels of competition, expensive living costs, and social relationships that tend to be individualistic. Similar conditions are experienced by groups facing economic and social pressures, such as financial difficulties, unemployment, family conflicts, and accumulating social stress.
Another vulnerable group consists of people with limited access to mental health services and high levels of stigma, causing reluctance to seek professional help. Older adults are also included among high risk groups as they face major life changes such as declining physical health, loss of spouses or friends, retirement, loneliness, and feelings of uselessness.
“Mental disorders do not arise from a single cause. They are multifactorial in nature. Biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors interact with one another and can trigger mental disorders when they are not in balance,” dr Riati explained.
Therefore, she emphasized that efforts to prevent and manage mental health problems must also be conducted comprehensively. This includes the role of individuals in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing stress, the role of families and communities in creating a supportive environment, as well as the role of schools and workplaces in providing safe, bullying free environments.
“Society is expected to reduce stigma, while the government needs to ensure that mental health services are easily accessible and that mental health education is expanded,” she added.
She also encouraged the public to be more self aware by recognizing early signs of mental health problems through early detection and simple screening. “Let us eliminate stigma so that no one is afraid or ashamed to seek help. Create family, school, and workplace environments that are safe, supportive, and non judgmental,” she concluded. (dh) (IAAS/KAL)
