Ministry of Health Strengthens Adolescents' Skills in Providing First Aid for Psychological Wounds
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health is strengthening its promotional and preventive efforts in adolescent mental health through the event “Book Dissection: First Aid for Psychological Wounds for First Aiders in Junior and Senior High Schools.”
The book “First Aid for Psychological Wounds for First Aiders in Schools” is expected to serve as a practical guide for students to become more sensitive to their peers’ conditions and to provide initial support before seeking professional help.
Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono, speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, stated that the event aims to improve literacy and basic skills among students in recognising and responding to mental health issues in the school environment.
He explained that psychological wounds are often invisible but can have a significant impact on adolescents’ lives if not handled properly.
“If our friend falls while playing, we immediately help because the wound is visible. But what if the one that’s wounded is the feeling? Often we stay silent, not because we don’t care, but because we don’t know what to do,” he said.
Based on the Indonesia-National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) 2022, he said, around 1 in 3 Indonesian adolescents experienced mental health problems in the past year.
“That means there might be a friend around us who looks fine but is struggling in silence. This is where the importance of first aid skills for psychological wounds comes in,” he stated.
According to him, these skills do not require special expertise, but rather concern and courage to be present for others.
“Willing to listen without judging, understand before judging, and dare to say: you are not alone,” he said.
He conveyed a simple yet meaningful message to the younger generation: “Be the reason someone feels not alone today.”
On the same occasion, the Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Information of the Ministry of Health, Aji Muhawarman, stated that this event is part of ongoing efforts to increase mental health literacy among students.
“Through this book dissection, we want to introduce mental health references for children and adolescents, while providing practical understanding of first aid for psychological wounds,” he said.
He added that the event also serves as an opportunity for cross-sector collaboration in supporting mental health in the educational environment.