75,000 Students in Bandung Identified with Mental Health Disorders

Bandung City Mayor, West Java, Muhammad Farhan has revealed that approximately 75,000 primary and secondary school students in Bandung are identified as experiencing mental health disorders. This figure is based on a survey conducted by the Health Service.

“The figure is 75,000. This is not insignificant. However, we must also be careful in our response,” said Mayor Farhan in Bandung as reported by news agency Antara on Monday (2 March 2026).

Farhan acknowledged that the biggest challenge in mental health issues is denial, particularly from parents who believe their children are in good condition and are reluctant to acknowledge the possibility of problems.

“When discussing mental health disorders, we often look at other people’s children. Rarely do we reflect on ourselves and consider whether my own child might have such issues,” said Farhan.

Farhan stressed that the Bandung City Government will not publicise the data excessively. An approach will be implemented gradually to avoid triggering panic among the public.

“We will introduce this gradually. We won’t use large-scale campaigns,” said Farhan.

The Bandung City Government will synchronise mental health services down to the level of community health centres and will require all health centres to eventually have clinical psychology services available.

Farhan stated that initial assessments of students will be conducted by school guidance counsellors before referral to health centres for further treatment. From the assessment results of guidance counsellors, psychologists will conduct further evaluation according to the level of need.

“Psychologists will provide capacity building to guidance counsellors. This way they can detect issues earlier,” said Farhan.

Farhan gave examples of behavioural changes, such as students who were previously cheerful becoming withdrawn, or high-achieving students who suddenly lose motivation to study, which will be documented and examined further.