Purwakarta Ranks 8th in West Java for Highest Number of Mental Health Cases
Purwakarta Regency in West Java has emerged as one of the province’s areas with a notably high number of people with mental health disorders (ODGJ). According to records from the West Java Provincial Health Office, the number of ODGJ in Purwakarta reached 2,194 in 2025, placing the regency in eighth position for the highest number of ODGJ in West Java.
Deputy Speaker of the Purwakarta Regency Legislative Council (DPRD) from the Nasdem Party, Luthfi Bamala, issued a stern warning to the Purwakarta Regency Government to address the cases seriously so that the number of sufferers does not continue to rise.
“Ranking eighth in the number of ODGJ in West Java is an alarm for all stakeholders. The local government, health workers, the education sector, and the community need to strengthen efforts to prevent and handle mental health issues,” Luthfi Bamala said on Tuesday (23/6).
According to Luthfi, the focus should not be solely on the high figures, but on ensuring that every citizen experiencing mental health disorders receives treatment, rehabilitation, and the opportunity to return to a productive life.
“The budget for mental health, counselling services, and family assistance must become an important part of regional health development, because mental health is just as important as physical health,” Luthfi stated.
The Head of the Rehabilitation and Social Empowerment Division at the Purwakarta Social Affairs Agency, Iman Munazat, said his office would conduct further evaluation and analysis of the data.
“We will evaluate later whether these figures are entirely Purwakarta residents or whether there are people from outside the region who have entered and received treatment in Purwakarta,” Iman said.
According to him, the Social Affairs Agency has so far handled dozens of ODGJ cases through various stages, from public reports and field outreach to assessment and referral processes.
“For the handling of ODGJ carried out by the Purwakarta Social Affairs Agency up to this month, we have followed up on 38 people,” he revealed.
Iman explained that handling ODGJ is not as simple as making a phone call and finishing the matter. There is a process of approach, identification, examination, and coordination with relevant parties. After assessment, ODGJ requiring further care are referred to health facilities or social rehabilitation centres.
“We send them to mental hospitals such as Cisarua, Lembang, then also to the Galuh Foundation in Bekasi, as well as Binalaras owned by the West Java Provincial Government located in Sumedang Regency,” he stated.
Iman also disclosed that the Social Affairs Agency identifies ODGJ found in the Purwakarta area to determine their area of origin.
“Not all ODGJ found in Purwakarta are residents of Purwakarta. After identification through population data, it turns out many ODGJ are sent from other regions. If they come from another area, we will coordinate with their region of origin for their return,” Iman concluded.