Children's Mental Health is a Concern, Government Promotes Psychological Equity at Puskesmas
JAKARTA - Mental health is now getting more attention in the community. Life pressures, social challenges, and lifestyle changes can affect a person's psychological condition, including children and adolescents.
Therefore, access to adequate mental health services is important so that psychological problems can be addressed early.
In an effort to strengthen mental health services at the community level, the Ministry of Health is trying to encourage the equalization of clinical psychologists at primary health facilities, especially puskesmas. This step is carried out through cooperation with colleges and a number of universities to expand the availability of professional personnel in the field of mental health.
Director General of Primary and Community Health of the Ministry of Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, said that currently the presence of clinical psychologists is still concentrated in several large cities such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. This condition makes access to mental health services in other areas still limited.
According to Endang, the government also encourages local governments that have the ability to provide resources to equip health centers with clinical psychologists, given the increasing need for mental health services in the community.
In addition to expanding the availability of professional personnel, the government also collaborates across ministries through a Joint Decree (SKB) involving various institutions. One form of collaboration is carried out together with the Ministry of Education to strengthen counseling services in school environments.
"Through this SKB, we can work together with the education sector, including with guidance and counseling teachers at schools. In its implementation, data protection is important so that student confidentiality is maintained," said Endang.
He explained that the limitations of mental health personnel at the health centers made counseling services not able to run optimally. Therefore, through the SKB involving nine ministries and agencies, teachers in schools will also be equipped with additional skills in providing assistance and counseling guidance to students.
Efforts to strengthen mental health services are not only focused on handling cases, but also on promotional and preventive steps. One of the approaches encouraged by the government is education on positive parenting patterns in the family environment.
According to Endang, the role of parents is very important in building children's mental health from an early age. With a more positive parenting pattern, it is hoped that the risk of psychological problems can be suppressed.
The government has also coordinated with the Ministry of Empowerment of Women and Child Protection and the Ministry of Population and Family Development to strengthen the prevention approach through education to the community.
In addition, cross-sectoral cooperation is also carried out in handling cases that require wider support. In some situations, mental health problems are not only related to psychological conditions, but also with social and economic factors.
Endang gave an example, when a child was found to be under psychological pressure to the point of wanting to commit suicide, the handling could involve various parties, including ministries that handle social aspects.
"Cases like this not only require mental health treatment, but also social support so that the child can continue their education and develop," he explained.
Through this collaborative approach, the government hopes that mental health services for children and adolescents will be stronger, while ensuring that they receive comprehensive support from the health, education, and social environment.