Mental Health Survivors Raise Employment Concerns with Jakarta Governor Pramono
Jakarta — The Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, received complaints from a mental health survivor regarding the difficulty of obtaining employment in Jakarta during a visit to the Duren Sawit Mental Health General Hospital in East Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
During the visit, Pramono invited survivors who were present to share their grievances directly. One survivor identified as S subsequently expressed hope that the job market in Jakarta would become more inclusive towards mental health survivors in the future.
“I also hope that in the future, the job market in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, will be more inclusive towards mental health survivors like myself, with requirements that are more reasonable and inclusive of people like me,” S said.
S stressed that mental health survivors possess the capability to work. The survivor even disclosed having achieved various accomplishments, including winning several competitions and actively participating in various communities. According to S, this experience serves as evidence that mental health survivors should not be perceived as incapable of working or contributing to society.
“So, what I mean is, please remember that mental health survivors can create and produce work,” S remarked.
“I happen to have an active career in writing, having worked as a content writer and been involved in journalism,” S continued.
Upon hearing this, Pramono immediately challenged S to demonstrate their abilities through written work. He requested that S compose an article about Pramono’s perspective on his leadership as Jakarta’s governor over the past year.
“Try writing an article about me as Jakarta’s governor. What is your perspective on my leadership over this past year? Just express it in writing,” Pramono said.
He also requested that the article be submitted through his staff. Pramono promised to read the submission and consider opportunities for S to demonstrate their capabilities directly before him.