Mental illness mostly suffered by urban people<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The majority of people suffering from mental
\nillness in Indonesia live in urban centers, according to a senior
\nofficial of the Ministry of Health.<\/p>\n
Pressures from economic competitiveness have been named the
\nprime reason for the high prevalence of psychological problems in
\nIndonesia's big cities, Soejoga, the director general of Medical
\nServices, said on Monday.<\/p>\n
He estimated that three out every 1,000 Indonesians have
\ndeveloped psychosis, and at least another 60 suffer from
\nneurosis.<\/p>\n
The 33 psychiatric hospitals throughout the country cannot
\naccommodate all patients, he said, pointing out that the
\nhospitals are virtually full all year round.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health has been working hard to arrest the
\nrise in the number of patients, he said during a media briefing
\nat his office in connection with the upcoming World Mental Health
\nDay on Oct. 10.<\/p>\n
Soejoga said most mental illnesses develop from psychosocial
\nproblems, which he described as intellectual and emotional
\ndisturbances.<\/p>\n
\"Not all stress is harmful. In some cases, stress can be good
\nstimuli,\" he said, adding that sometimes stress can even become a
\nsource of energy. Citing an example, he said some students work
\ntheir best under stress.<\/p>\n
\"Everyone, especially those living in big cities, has the
\npotential to experience stress,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In connection with World Mental Health Day, the government on
\nFriday will launch a five-day national campaign aimed at
\nincreasing awareness about mental illness and how society,
\nparticularly families, can play a role in preventing the number
\nof patients from rising.<\/p>\n
There will be a public appeal for people to become more
\ntolerant and respectful towards people with psychological
\nproblems, to accept them in their surroundings and help erase the
\nstigma that mental illness carries.<\/p>\n
During the campaign, the Ministry of Health will hold
\nseminars, sports and cultural activities involving psychiatry
\npatients, at the Bogor Mental Hospital. The campaign will end on
\nOct. 10 with a ceremony in Bogor. (03)<\/p>",
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