He said on Wednesday that, based on a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), one in eight people globally experience mental disorders. With that ratio, Indonesia may have 28 million people with mental disorders.
"This is a stigmatized disease. People are afraid to be open about their illness. Therefore, the ministry will intervene to address this problem," he explained.
Sadikin emphasized that mental health checks are just as important as basic health screenings, such as blood tests. For the PKG program, the ministry will use a questionnaire to identify different types of mental health issues.
"Some may have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), bulimia, eating disorders, autism, or neurological disorders," he stated.
He added that treatment for such illnesses can include consultations with psychologists and medication.
Currently, the ministry is expanding mental health services at community health centers to offer psychological consultations.
The Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) in 2023 recorded the highest prevalence of depression symptoms among young people aged 15–24 years, females, individuals with junior high school or lower levels of education, the unemployed, those still in school, and workers without specialized skills, such as drivers or domestic helpers.
At the national level, the prevalence of depression across all ages was recorded at 1.4 percent. The highest prevalence was in West Java, while the lowest was in Bali.
The survey found that only 10.4 percent of young people with depression seek treatment. Despite having the highest incidence of depression, this group is the least likely to receive care.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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