Ministry of Health: Baliho for Film 'Aku Harus Mati' Could Trigger Suicide Imitation

The film titled Aku Harus Mati has sparked controversy because its public promotional materials, in the form of billboards, are deemed provocative and potentially capable of triggering suicide imitation in vulnerable individuals.

Director of Vulnerable Group Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Imran Pambudi, stated that this is also a concern raised by mental health experts. The reaction is not merely about aesthetics or freedom of expression.

“When the theme of suicide is presented without caution, its impact can affect public safety,” Imran told Media Indonesia on Tuesday (7/4).

He explained that media and promotional materials have the power to shape how people understand issues. Thus, titles, images, or narratives that simplify suicide as a solution to suffering can lower the resistance threshold for those who are fragile.

“Repeated exposure to messages that romanticise or normalise such actions can trigger individuals with a history of depression, impulsivity, or traumatic experiences,” he said.

Therefore, according to Imran, the context of presentation is crucial. The concerns from mental health professionals and the reported crackdown on promotional materials indicate that the provocative effect is not mere speculation.

Police reports from 2023 recorded 1,350 suicide death cases, increasing to 1,450 in 2024. Additionally, mental health crisis services show a surge in calls and messages to the healing119 service, from around 400 calls in August 2025 to 550 calls per day in 2026.

“These figures affirm that public exposure to sensitive materials occurs in a context of increasing service needs, so irresponsible public communication could potentially worsen the situation,” Imran revealed.

The rise in reports and help requests also signals two things simultaneously. First, more people are experiencing mental health crises, and second, more people are trying to seek help—a vital sign that access and service responses must be strengthened.

“However, the reported death figures also remind us that prevention efforts are not yet fully effective and that unsafe media exposure can add to the burden on vulnerable populations,” he concluded.