Health Minister Reports 700,000 Indonesian Children Show Signs of Anxiety and Depression

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has disclosed that 10 per cent, or approximately 700,000 children in Indonesia, have been detected with mental health disorder symptoms comprising anxiety and depression. This data was obtained from a free health check programme (CKG).

Budi reported that between 2025 and 2026, President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programme has reached 7 million Indonesian children. The results show that 4.4 per cent, or approximately 338,000 children, exhibited symptoms of anxiety disorder. Additionally, 4.8 per cent, or approximately 363,000 children, were found to have symptoms of depression disorder.

“This demonstrates that mental health problems are extremely significant,” Budi stated during a press conference on Child Mental Health Prevention and Treatment Efforts broadcast on the Health Ministry’s YouTube channel on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Budi explained that the 11 to 17-year-old age group experiences the highest rates of mental health problems. He noted that many in this group have considered ending their lives. Data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey, for instance, shows the percentage of students who have contemplated suicide increased from 5.4 per cent in 2015 to 8.5 per cent in 2023, a rise of approximately 1.6 times.

Moreover, a more dramatic increase is evident in the percentage of students who have attempted suicide. This figure jumped more than twofold, rising from 3.9 per cent in 2015 to 10.7 per cent in 2023.

Consequently, according to Budi, child mental health issues must be addressed seriously. Budi wants government health policies to begin addressing this area. He stated that child mental health problems are not influenced solely by individual factors but are largely shaped by environment, family, friendships, and education. “What needs improvement is not just the children, but also family parenting practices and the learning environment,” he said.

Budi also reported that the government is accelerating efforts to increase the number of clinical psychologists in primary health centres, which currently numbers only about 203. Additionally, the government has established a mental health crisis service through Healing119.id to support rapid intervention.