One in 6 Indonesians has mental problems
One in 6 Indonesians has mental problems
JAKARTA (JP): Some 36 million Indonesians, or nearly one in
six of the country's 200 million people, suffer from minor mental
illnesses, according to an expert.
Dr. H.A. Hardiman, the director of the Ministry of Health's
mental health department, said in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan,
yesterday that most of the mental ailments were caused by
anxiety, psychosomatic problems and depression.
"The disturbance may be light, but they should not be
neglected," he said after addressing a workshop on quality
service at the Banjarmasin Mental Hospital.
"Without serious handling, the minor problems could
deteriorate into major mental disorders," he was quoted by Antara
as saying.
Hardiman cited a 1995 survey, held by the ministry in 13 major
cities in Indonesia, which found that an average of 185 in every
1,000 Indonesians suffered from mental health problems. In major
cities in Sumatra, the number rose to 200 per 1,000 people, while
in Banjarmasin the average was 150 per 1,000 people.
"Unless the 185 out of the 1,000 people were given serious
attention, their minor mental health problems would worsen and
all of the mental hospitals in Indonesia wouldn't be able to
accommodate them," Hardiman said.
Indonesia has 33 mental hospitals able to treat 8,000 mental
patients at the same time. Out of the 27 provinces, three have
yet to have a hospital; they are Central Kalimantan, East Nusa
Tenggara and East Timor.
Hardiman stressed the need for preventive measures so that
those with minor mental problems would not need hospitalization.
The statistics given by Hardiman were bleaker than those
issued in 1993. Back then it was reported that 1.4 per 1,000
people in urban areas and 4.6 per 1,000 people in rural areas
suffered from psychosis -- any form of severe mental disorder in
which the individual's perception becomes distorted.
Also in 1993, the World Health Organization said two to three
out of 1,000 people in the world suffered from mental illnesses,
including emotional, neurological and psychosocial disorders.
The ministry also said that 98 people out of 1,000 have
problems such as drug abuse and alcoholism.
In 1994, President Soeharto said three out of 10 Indonesians
seeking treatment at public health centers had symptoms of mental
disorders. Soeharto also called for the humane treatment of the
patients, saying they should be loved and respected. (swe)