28 Million Indonesians Suffer Mental Health Problems, Cak Imin: This Is a Worrying Iceberg
JAKARTA – Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar has stated that the documented figure of 28 million Indonesians experiencing mental health problems represents an iceberg phenomenon with far greater depth.
“The latest figures from the Health Ministry show that 28 million Indonesians have mental health problems. This indicates a worryingly large iceberg,” said Cak Imin during a psychosocial resilience dialogue forum at the University of Indonesia’s Salemba campus in Central Jakarta on Friday (27 February 2026).
According to Cak Imin, the triggers for mental health disorders are never singular but result from complex and multidimensional interactions of various factors. Meanwhile, several social institutions have limitations in properly understanding, detecting, and addressing mental health problems.
“That is the challenge we must undertake together to invite and jointly overcome the consequences while addressing the causes of these highly complex mental health disturbances,” said Cak Imin.
He therefore urged that challenges should not be viewed merely as burdens but as incentives for both government and non-governmental sectors to continue developing. “Suicide incidents do not only cause mental illness but also make us a fragile nation. We must continue to be a mutually empowering force,” he stated.
He emphasised that an empowerment perspective and psychosocial resilience are crucial aspects for communities to grow creatively, productively, and with agency. “We must create a social cohesion system so that adequate psychological support and community participation become integral parts of addressing this problem,” said Cak Imin.
The estimate aligns with global mental health disorder ratios cited by the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to WHO data, mental health problems affect between one in eight to one in ten people globally. With Indonesia’s population of approximately 280 million, this suggests a minimum of 28 million people potentially experiencing mental health disorders, which may include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, ADHD, and various other psychiatric conditions.