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)