Thousands of Jakartans suffer from mental ilness<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Between 9,000 and 27,000 of Jakarta's nine
\nmillion people suffer from a serious mental disorder, 10 percent
\nof whom need to undergo special treatment, said a health official
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Dr. Karcipto who heads the Mental Health Division of the
\nMinistry of Health told a one-day seminar that rapid changes in
\nurban areas, and financial problems, are the main factors that
\ncause people to suffer from depression.<\/p>\n
\"People living in big cities who come from poor backgrounds
\nand who have little education are forced to adapt themselves to
\nthe new environment. Those who can't stand the changes eventually
\nget stressed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The seminar, adopting the theme \"Building a Harmonious
\nFamily\", was held to mark World Mental Health Day.<\/p>\n
Mental health has nothing to do with insanity but is something
\neveryone needs to achieve a harmonious life, said Karcipto.<\/p>\n
\"Mental health is about the feelings of contentment and
\nhappiness which allow people to face life's challenges. It opens
\npeoples minds to accept others as they are and not as what we
\nthink they should be, and it helps people adopt a positive
\nattitude,\" said Mrs. Yogie SM, wife of the Home Minister, who
\nparticipated at the meeting.<\/p>\n
Mental depression is prevalent not only among the poor or
\npeople with marginal incomes, but also among the haves and among
\nyoungsters from broken-homes, said Karcipto.<\/p>\n
Mental depression, if untreated, can lead to \"psycho-social
\nproblems\" that could increase the number of juvenile
\ndelinquencies and cases of drug and alcohol addiction, he said.<\/p>\n
As mental depression is the fifth most serious health issue in
\nthe country, the government-run Agency for the Development of
\nPeople's Mental Health in Jakarta has mapped out a number of
\nprograms to address mental health issues.<\/p>\n
Since its establishment in 1986, the Agency has built several
\nconsultation clinics for teenagers in different districts, and
\nmental health services have been opened in local government
\nclinics. Efforts have been made to improve the skills of
\nparamedics in treating their patients, and to help school
\ncounselors cope with juvenile delinquencies.<\/p>\n
The City administration plans to build a local hospital in the
\nfuture, with services for the mentally ill and for families
\nfacing marriage or other social problems. (04)<\/p>",
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