Mental illness mostly suffered by urban people

Mental illness mostly suffered by urban people

JAKARTA (JP): The majority of people suffering from mental
illness in Indonesia live in urban centers, according to a senior
official of the Ministry of Health.

Pressures from economic competitiveness have been named the
prime reason for the high prevalence of psychological problems in
Indonesia's big cities, Soejoga, the director general of Medical
Services, said on Monday.

He estimated that three out every 1,000 Indonesians have
developed psychosis, and at least another 60 suffer from
neurosis.

The 33 psychiatric hospitals throughout the country cannot
accommodate all patients, he said, pointing out that the
hospitals are virtually full all year round.

The Ministry of Health has been working hard to arrest the
rise in the number of patients, he said during a media briefing
at his office in connection with the upcoming World Mental Health
Day on Oct. 10.

Soejoga said most mental illnesses develop from psychosocial
problems, which he described as intellectual and emotional
disturbances.

"Not all stress is harmful. In some cases, stress can be good
stimuli," he said, adding that sometimes stress can even become a
source of energy. Citing an example, he said some students work
their best under stress.

"Everyone, especially those living in big cities, has the
potential to experience stress," he said.

In connection with World Mental Health Day, the government on
Friday will launch a five-day national campaign aimed at
increasing awareness about mental illness and how society,
particularly families, can play a role in preventing the number
of patients from rising.

There will be a public appeal for people to become more
tolerant and respectful towards people with psychological
problems, to accept them in their surroundings and help erase the
stigma that mental illness carries.

During the campaign, the Ministry of Health will hold
seminars, sports and cultural activities involving psychiatry
patients, at the Bogor Mental Hospital. The campaign will end on
Oct. 10 with a ceremony in Bogor. (03)