Student Suicide Attempt Cases Surge 2.7-Fold, Identifying Key Causes
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is emphasising the importance of early detection for mental health issues following a surge in suicide attempt rates among students. Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono revealed that suicide attempt cases among students have experienced a significant increase of up to 2.7-fold, according to data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey.
The data records a spike in the proportion of students attempting to end their lives from 3.9% in 2015 to 10.7% in 2023. The age range of 11 to 17 years has been identified as the most vulnerable group.
“Among school students, those contemplating suicide have increased 1.6-fold. There is almost a twofold increase in suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among students,” Dante stated in Jakarta on Friday (4/9).
He explained that this phenomenon resembles an iceberg, where the number of suicide attempts is far greater than the recorded number of deaths.
“One in ten students is attempting to end their lives through suicide. The 11-17 age group is the vulnerable age for suicide attempts within the group we are observing and evaluating,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health, mental disorders are the second largest factor affecting a person’s quality of life, following musculoskeletal disorders. Currently, it is estimated that one in seven people worldwide lives with a mental disorder.
To prevent the worsening of mental conditions, the public is urged to be alert to physical, emotional, or behavioural changes that persist for at least two weeks. Symptoms include sleep disturbances, weight changes, excessive anxiety, irritability, and decreased concentration.
“If these physical, emotional, and behavioural disturbances, difficulty concentrating, changes in speech patterns, and noticeable activity changes persist for more than two weeks, they must be quickly identified as mental health disorders,” he said.
Dante added that mental health intervention must be carried out as early as possible, even from the prenatal and postpartum periods. The government is now integrating mental health screening services through the Free Health Check (CKG) programme and questionnaires on the SatuSehat application. Additionally, the Ministry of Health provides the ‘Healing119’ Mental Health Service, which can be accessed via the 119 hotline, extension 8.
He emphasised that the general public can provide first aid during mental health crises without needing to be medical professionals, using simple steps.
“We do not have to be experts to be helpers to those experiencing mental disorders. Start with four simple steps: ask, listen, accompany, and connect,” he concluded.