Suicide Is Not A Matter Of One Faith

The trend of suicide in Indonesia is at an alarming stage. Throughout 2024, there were 1,455 suicide cases in Indonesia, an increase of 100 cases from the previous year. (Unsplash)

JAKARTA The suicide case has surfaced again. Recently, a school principal in Cilincing, North Jakarta, was found dead due to suicide. He ended his life in the teacher room of SMP Syarif Hidayatullah (Syahid) 2, Cilincing.

According to information, the victim was first found by the school janitor, Rika Aryani, when opening the door to the teacher's room at around 06:15 WIB.

Based on the school's CCTV footage, the victim was last seen entering the school area on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at around 15:30 WIB and was not monitored to leave until it was found the next day.

Until now, the police are still investigating the motive for the suicide of the 48-year-old school principal. The Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Cilincing Police, AKP Fauzan Yannadi, said that his party had examined a number of witnesses. It is suspected that the victim failed to marry his future wife, but the police have not been able to conclude that the romance factor is the trigger.

Suicide cases are quite common in Indonesia. The motives vary, ranging from depression, victims of bullying, economy, and others. Suicide is also often seen as a shortcut to get out of trouble.

Suicide cases in Indonesia are showing an alarming trend. Data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) noted that globally there were around 746 thousand deaths from suicide. Of these, Indonesia is estimated to account for 4,750 cases.

This increase is also reflected in annual data. Throughout 2024, there were 1,455 suicide cases in Indonesia, an increase of 100 cases from the previous year. However, this figure is believed to be only the tip of the iceberg. Estimation of production reached 859 percent, which means the actual number of cases could be nine times higher.

According to the Director of Health Services for the Vulnerable Group of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Imran Pambudi, Central Java Province recorded the highest number with 478 cases, double compared to East Java and far beyond West Java.

Suicide victims often get negative stigma in society. Those who choose to end their own lives are often judged by the accusation of "lack of faith" or "such as having no God". In fact, suicide is not just a matter of faith.

Suicide can be done by anyone, regardless of the level of education, economic and social status, age, residence, or religious status. Religion or not, as well as any religion or belief that is believed, everyone still has the potential for suicide.

Based on data on the prevalence of suicide-issued by WHO in 2019, lower suicide rates occurred in countries that have a strong religious culture, regardless of their religion. While in former Soviet Union countries, countries near the poles, or poor countries in southern Africa, the prevalence of suicide is relatively high.

However, that does not mean that there is a positive correlation between religion and suicide prevention efforts. Low suicide prevalence may occur due to a poor recording system, whether due to weak bureaucracy, the magnitude of stigmatization of suicide and family perpetrators, to a strong taboo to discuss suicide.

Suicide is not just a religious issue. Social psychology lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia (UI) Dicky Pelupessy said, there are two dimensions related to suicide, namely psychology and social. Psychological dimensions are related to mental health, and social dimensions in the form of social relationships that become social phenomena.

There are problems with social relations in rural and urban areas. For urban areas, people are busy with their own affairs so they don't pay attention to each other, have reduced trust, and are prone to worry, including suicide," said Dicky.

Dicky explained that there were at least two recommended attempts to prevent suicide. First, the general approach through mental health campaigns is because everyone has the potential for suicide.

According to him, mental health is the same as physical health that requires campaigns and programs. From this, it is hoped that people who are at low risk or are at high risk of suicide.

"When we have the flu (sick) we rest or check ourselves, then when there is loneliness or anxiety (mental) we talk to friends or go to health services," said Dicky.

The second suggestion, said Dicky, is with a special approach or a specific target. This approach can be in the form of access or adequate mental health channels or services because not everyone is comfortable discussing their condition or health.

For this reason, according to Dicky, adequate services are needed, including ensuring everyone's privacy. This service should be provided by the government and encouraging the involvement of other parties or mental health activists to be systematic.

There must be direct service. For example, there are psychologists or psychiatrists at the puskesmas who are closest to residents, Dicky ends.