Child Mental Health Priorities

INDONESIA is currently facing a serious mental health crisis, especially among children and adolescents. Various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, global economic uncertainty, social dynamics and technological developments have increased pressure on the psychological well-being of the younger generation. They are growing up in an increasingly complex environment, where environmental and social challenges significantly affect their mental health. Cases of suicide and attempted suicide among children and adolescents are of growing concern. Reports from various sources show an increase in cases due to academic pressure, bullying and family problems. In 2022 in East Jakarta, a 14-year-old teenager ended his life after allegedly being bullied at school.

In Bandung, 2021, a high school student was found dead after jumping from his school building, allegedly due to academic pressure and personal problems. Meanwhile, in Surabaya in 2023, a 13-year-old boy ended his life after being a victim of cyberbullying on social media. These cases illustrate how precarious the mental health situation is among the younger generation. The mental health of children and adolescents has a direct and long-term impact on the future of the nation. They are valuable assets that will drive development and innovation. However, mental disorders at an early age can hinder cognitive, emotional and social development, resulting in reduced academic performance. Children with mental health problems often struggle to learn, leading to lower quality human resources. Furthermore, economic productivity could potentially decline. Mentally unhealthy young people tend to be less productive when entering the workforce, reducing their potential contribution to society. Untreated mental health problems can lead to increased rates of crime, drug abuse and other social problems. This adds to the burden on the country's health and social welfare systems. If this crisis is not addressed, Indonesia risks losing a competent and competitive next generation, threatening the realization of the Golden Indonesia of 2045.

In the midst of rapid technological development and innovation, the nation needs individuals who are mentally healthy and able to think creatively and adaptively to change. One of the main obstacles in addressing mental health issues is the limited access to adequate services. Indonesia has around 2,500 registered psychologists to serve 270 million people, or less than 1 psychologist for every 100,000 people-far below the WHO standard that recommends 1 psychologist for every 5,000 people.

In the education sector, the ratio of guidance and counseling (BK) teachers is also far from ideal. One counseling teacher often serves 500 to 1,000 students, whereas ideally one teacher should only handle 150 students. This shortage is exacerbated by the unequal distribution of professionals and the strong social stigma, which makes many people reluctant to seek professional help.

Hopes for Prabowo's government

With the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto on October 20, 2024 and the Red and White Cabinet on October 21-22, hopes are high that the new government will make children's mental health a national priority.

The division of the Ministry of Education into three ministries, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, opens up opportunities to integrate mental health programs more comprehensively in the school curriculum. President Prabowo is expected to bring a new perspective in addressing the mental health crisis. The government needs to expand access to mental health services across the country and increase the number of psychologists and counseling teachers. With proper training, teachers can recognize and treat students' mental health problems early on.

In addition, counseling services should be available and easily accessible in schools and communities, with parents involved in supporting children's well-being. This government also needs to play a role in removing the stigma associated with mental health through national education campaigns, both in mass media and digital platforms. Regulations and legal protections should also be strengthened to protect children from bullying and violence, both in the real and digital world.

Policies that focus on children's mental health not only impact individual well-being, but also strengthen the country's social and economic foundations for the future. A mentally healthy young generation will be more productive, innovative, and able to adaptively face global challenges. This is an absolute requirement for Indonesia to realize the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045. Addressing the mental health crisis requires a structured and holistic approach. The government needs to increase the number of professionals and ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout Indonesia, especially in remote areas.

Schools must become environments that support students' psychological well-being by incorporating emotional education in the curriculum and strengthening the role of counseling teachers. Collaboration between the government, private sector, non-governmental organizations and local communities is necessary to create sustainable intervention programs. The private sector can be involved through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that focus on children's mental health, while local communities can provide a safe and supportive environment.

In addition, families play an important role as the first line of defense in detecting and addressing mental health issues. Parents need to create open communication and a safe home environment for children, while continuously improving understanding of the importance of mental health. The mental health of children and adolescents is a long-term investment in the future of the nation. By ensuring they grow up mentally healthy, Indonesia will have a competitive and innovative generation in the global arena.

President Prabowo's administration and the Red and White Cabinet are expected to formulate sustainable policies that make children's mental health a national priority. The concrete steps taken today will bring great changes to the future of children and the nation. Let's together realize the Golden Indonesia 2045 by making children's mental health a top priority.

(Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem M.A., Ph.D.)

This article was published on Kompas.com on October 23, 2024. Read the full article at the following link