Erick Thohir Shocked By 61 Percent Of Indonesian Youths Ever Wanted To Commit Suicide

Erick Thohir saw the suicide rate of teenagers in Indonesia which reached 61 percent. (VOI / Mery Handayani)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir admitted that he was surprised to receive data that many Indonesian teenagers had mental health problems. In fact, said Erick, as many as 61 percent of teenagers in Indonesia once had the desire to end their lives.

This was revealed by Erick in front of young start-ups at the Grand Final of the Country's Best Thoughts Pitch by the BUMN Foundation, at Ciputra Artpreneur, Ciputra World Jakarta, Sunday, August 25.

"When I was admitted to my team to prepare a slide, this is true, 61 percent of Indonesian teenagers have had thoughts of suicide? I'm frankly surprised," said Erick.

When he got the data, Erick admitted that he had questioned the truth of the data to his team. However, it was answered if the data was valid.

"I said the data was wrong. 'No sir' he said, this data is valid. One in three teenagers has mental issues," he said.

Referring to data from Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health, Erick displays data on suicide cases in Indonesia is estimated to be much larger than reported. The reporting rate is only around 30 percent.

Erick said this problem is an issue that needs to get the attention of all parties. He said all parties were here to provide solutions to this problem.

"Then, this suicide case is not much reality today, it is written, it is recorded, this is an issue. What is the end of the issue? Yes, we all have to attend," he said.

Therefore, Erick wants the BUMN Foundation to also focus on the health issues of mothers and children, including mental health.

"If we look at today's foundation is trying to see the various problems, we try to focus, namely one in the health problems of mothers and children, mental health," he explained.