The issues related to the prevention of community mental health were discussed by Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, and State Minister for Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar.
"Community mental health disorder can be a barrier to the success of Millennium Development Goal (MDG)," Agung Laksono said after chairing the multi-sectoral problem that general could create low access to information and education.
Agung said low access to mental health service was also closely related to poverty because it could affect social and economic aspects, and family low productivity.
Based on World Health Organization (WHO) data in 2010, 450 million people around the world suffered from mental health disorder, more than 150 million suffered from depression, 25 million suffered from schizophrenia, more than 90 million used alcohol, and more than 1 million others committed suicide per year.
Meanwhile, the result of basic health research in 2007 indicated mental health disorder has inflicted the economic loss of at least Rp20 trillion.
Therefore, Agung said that to respond and follow up issue of mental health problem in Indonesia, coordination of policy synchronization synergy and cross-sectoral programs should be stepped up.
In addition, he said it was necessary to intensify and regulate the central and regional governments coordination in the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of cross-sectoral problems.
(Uu.O001/H-NG)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
