DPR Member Urges Strengthening Early Detection of Children's Mental Health

Jakarta (ANTARA) – A member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Surahman Hidayat, said the government should strengthen early detection of children’s mental health in response to the rising number of suicides among schoolchildren. He made the remarks in response to data from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) in 2026, which shows that in the period 2023–2026 there were 120 cases of child suicide. He argued that a lack of early detection of children’s mental health is one of the main factors making children vulnerable to life pressures, bullying, and other psychological issues. It is known that the recorded child suicides result from an interplay of multiple factors, from poverty, bullying, and depression to less empathetic parenting and exposure to unhealthy digital environments, such as online gaming influence. “Children are a trust. Their lives must be safeguarded, not allowed to crumble under life pressures, bullying, or the lack of attention from parents and the state,” he said. Therefore, Surahman urged the government to strengthen early detection of mental health in children through counselling and psychology services in schools, the opening of online counselling services, and the involvement of teachers and parents in supervision and mentoring. “Child protection must be tangible so they grow with hope, not despair,” Surahman stated. He hopes that strengthening tests and detection of mental health can be a concrete step to prevent similar cases from recurring, while also improving the child protection system more comprehensively. Surahman reminded the government to enhance access to social assistance and protection for poor families so that children are not burdened by economic pressures; social assistance is expected to be provided to children from poor families without discrimination of identity.