Lestari Moerdijat: Support Efforts to Enhance Early Detection of Student Mental Health
The Bantargebang tragedy serves as evidence of systemic failure.
Push to increase efforts for early detection of mental health problems among students in schools must be strengthened to address the threat of mental health disorders facing the nation’s future generation.
“Collaborative steps by various relevant parties to comprehensively address the threat of mental health in schools must receive collective support,” said Deputy Chair of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Lestari Moerdijat in a written statement on Tuesday, 10 March.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin on Monday, 9 March, stressed that his ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) to conduct screening or early detection of mental health problems among students in schools.
The initiative will be realised by equipping teachers with the ability to recognise early signs of mental health disorders in students.
According to Lestari, training to enhance teachers’ capability in screening student mental health must be realised immediately.
Based on a Health Ministry survey in early 2026, approximately 5 percent of Indonesian children and adolescents experience symptoms of mental disorders, particularly depression and anxiety.
More specifically, 34.9 percent of adolescents aged 10–17 years are at risk of experiencing mental health problems. However, of that number, only 2.6 percent receive professional treatment.
Based on this data, said Rerie, the affectionate nickname for Lestari, the ability to detect early mental health problems among students must also be possessed by parents.
According to Rerie, teachers who interact with students daily are the frontline in identifying mental health problems faced by students in schools.
However, she added, the role of parents who interact with their children in the family is also important in screening their children’s mental health.
Rerie, who is also a member of Commission X of the House of Representatives, believes that efforts to improve teachers’ and parents’ capability in conducting early detection of student mental health is the foundation for addressing the threat of mental health disorders affecting the nation’s future generation.
The member of the High Council of the Democratic Party of Indonesia (NasDem) hopes that the collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry will be followed by the readiness of primary healthcare facilities, such as community health centres (Puskesmas), in providing mental health services.
She firmly stated that results from early detection of student mental health conducted by schools must not go unaddressed by the nearest healthcare facility.