Ministry Of Health Reveals Jakarta Residents' Depression Rate Higher Than National, DKI Provincial Government: Real Capital City Life Pressure

Archives. A number of vehicles were stuck in traffic jams at work hours on Jalan Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Tuesday 9 May 2023. (ANTARA PHOTO-FAuzan)

JAKARTA - Special Staff to the Governor of DKI Jakarta for Social Communication, Chico Hakim responded to the findings of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes). Where, the percentage of Jakarta residents over the age of 15 who experience depression is higher than the national average.

Chico did not deny this. According to him, Jakarta is a city with a fairly high burden on the lives of its citizens.

"This figure serves as a reminder to us that the pressures of life in the capital city are real, and we continue to work hard to suppress this number," Chico told reporters, Monday, November 24.

In fact, the DKI Provincial Government has implemented a number of assistance programs and handling of community psychological services. One of them is the JakCare channel, which is in the form of a 24 hour free psychological consultation via telephone [phone]) and the JAKI application.

In addition, free mental health screening is still being carried out through the free health check program (CKG) at the puskesmas and posyandu has reached hundreds of thousands of residents.

Then, the DKI Jakarta Health Office also conducts mental health education and workshops in schools and communities, as well as strengthening clinical psychologists at the sub-district health center.

"We continue to improve access and reduce stigma, because happy Jakarta is not only a slogan, but also when every citizen feels heard and supported," explained Chico.

It is known, the Ministry of Health noted that the population of DKI Jakarta over the age of 15 who experienced depression reached 1.5 percent, slightly higher than the national figure in the range of 1.4 percent. This data was disclosed in an online seminar highlighting the health condition of the community's soul.

Mental health problems in this age group also occupy the second place out of ten diseases with the highest number of cases.

Meanwhile, West Java is listed as the province with the highest number of mental health problems, which is 4.4 percent, exceeding the national average of 2 percent. In Jakarta, the prevalence of mental health problems is at 2.2 percent based on the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI).

The Ministry of Health highlights the low access to treatment for people who experience mental disorders. Only a small number of people with anxiety and depression seek professional assistance. The lack of awareness of symptoms and negative stigma related to mental health are the main factors that prevent people from coming to psychologists or psychiatrists.

This stigma makes many people ignore early symptoms, which have the potential to cause conditions to worsen. In fact, early childhood treatment is important to prevent mild depression from developing into a more severe disorder.