Health Minister: Hundreds of Thousands of Children Show Anxiety and Depression Symptoms, Mental Health Crisis Alarm

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has stated that the Free Health Check (Cek Kesehatan Gratis, CKG) programme for 2025–2026 has identified mental health problems including symptoms of anxiety and depression in nearly 10 per cent of approximately 7 million children screened, describing this as a significant finding.

Budi said in Jakarta on Monday that approximately 4.4 per cent, or roughly 338,000 children, showed symptoms of anxiety disorder, whilst 4.8 per cent, or approximately 363,000 children, showed symptoms of depression disorder.

“This demonstrates that mental health problems are quite substantial,” Budi stated.

He emphasised that children’s mental health problems require serious attention as they can lead to suicide-related deaths. Data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey shows an increasing trend in child suicide attempts, rising from 3.9 per cent in 2015 to 10.7 per cent in 2023.

He explained that mental health problems in children are influenced not only by individual factors but also by family environment, friendships, and education.

In response to these findings, the government is targeting the expansion of CKG screening to reach 25 million children. Maria Endang Sumiwi, Director General of Primary Health and Community Health, stated that screening results will be followed up by community health centres (Puskesmas).

The government is currently accelerating the recruitment of clinical psychologists at Puskesmas, where numbers remain limited at approximately 203 personnel. Additionally, the government has established mental health crisis services through Healing119.id to support rapid intervention.

In the education sector, the Health Ministry is promoting the role of school counselling teachers and classroom teachers in supporting students identified with symptoms.

“This collaboration aims to build an integrated system for managing children’s mental health, from prevention through to treatment and rehabilitation,” the ministry stated.

Nine government agencies are involved, including the Health Ministry, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Communications Commission, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Home Affairs/National Population and Family Planning Board, Ministry of Religion, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, and the National Police.

Through this coordination, the government is also guaranteeing the confidentiality of children’s personal data to prevent stigma and to ensure every child receives comprehensive mental health protection in both school and family environments.