Nearly 10 Per Cent of Children Experience Mental Disorder Symptoms; Primary Healthcare Centres and Community Health Posts Need Strengthening
DPR RI Commission IX member Edy Wuryanto has called on all stakeholders to take seriously government findings concerning the high prevalence of mental health disorders among children.
Based on screening results from the Free Health Check (CKG) programme presented by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, nearly 10 per cent of approximately 7 million children examined showed signs of anxiety and depression.
According to Edy, these figures demonstrate that child mental health can no longer be regarded as a peripheral issue. The state must strengthen early intervention systems, particularly through primary healthcare services.
“Child mental health treatment must be driven more towards promotional, preventive, and early detection approaches to mild mental disorder symptoms. We should not wait until a child’s condition deteriorates and causes disability,” said Edy on Thursday, 12 March.
The PDI Perjuangan politician stressed that strengthening primary healthcare services, especially Puskesmas and Posyandu, must be a priority in the national strategy for managing child mental health. Community-based services are considered most effective for monitoring and early intervention.
“Puskesmas and Posyandu are the frontline of healthcare delivery to the community. This is where early detection of child mental health problems can be conducted more quickly and systematically,” he said.
Edy also emphasised the importance of involving health workers in prevention and early treatment efforts. According to him, health workers who have been active in communities must receive special training to recognise early signs of mental disorders in children.
Additionally, health workers are expected to provide support to families regarding steps to take if family members risk experiencing mental health disorders, whether mild or severe, including directing them to appropriate healthcare facilities.
In the context of strengthening community-based services, Edy believes Posyandu’s role needs to be expanded beyond physical health to include mental health.
“Posyandu’s role must be strengthened. If necessary, Posyandu can add a new service desk or a sixth desk dedicated to providing mental health counselling for children and families,” said this Central Java legislator.
To support mental health services at Puskesmas and Posyandu, Edy proposed further strengthening measures.
Healthcare workers such as nurses and midwives need additional training in initial management of mental health cases. Meanwhile, Posyandu health workers must be taught the knowledge to detect and guide those needing mental health services.
Furthermore, he urged the Health Ministry to promptly develop clearer guidelines and regulations regarding mental health services at primary care level.
“The government, through the Health Ministry, needs to establish guidelines and regulations for mental health services at Puskesmas and Posyandu. This is important because primary healthcare services fall under local government responsibility, so clear national standards are necessary,” Edy stated.
Edy added that child mental health treatment must be conducted in an integrated manner involving families, schools, healthcare workers, and the community.
With a strong early detection system and healthy environmental support, child mental health problems are expected to be addressed more quickly and prevent more serious impacts in the future.
“A nation’s greatest investment is in its young generation. Child mental health must be protected from an early age so they can grow into a healthy, productive, and competitive generation,” he concluded.