Indonesia's Underserved Mental Health Patients

Despite Indonesia’s consistent economic growth, the country has yet to see the benefits trickle down to its’ citizens most basic needs, including mental health care. For a country of 250 million people, there are less than 800 registered psychiatrist to serve the population, leaving many Indonesians in underserved communities with little or no access to care. In June 2014, the nation’s first mental health care bill passed. It includes patients’ rights, suggestions for preventive and promotive education, and loose plans to provide access to patients. The first of few deadlines will be coming up in June 2015. We will see if there is any progress made towards executing the recommendations and to further set goals and deadlines to make decision makers accountable for these projects Thus far, patients and their families have turned to traditional medicine and practices. If people suffering from mental health issues and their families are convinced to try Western psychiatry, the access to care is inconsistent, the medicine is expensive and the hospitals are inaccessible. When all else fails, families and communities often resort to caging, chaining or binding their loved ones either at their homes or in semi-private facilities that are partially funded by the Indonesian social services department in order to prevent danger to all parties. Aside from the severely dilapidated, underfunded and understaffed semi-private institutions, there are some grassroots organizations, and non-profit initiatives that are implementing progressive programs; programs proven to be receptive, effective and sustainable. This is the story about the majority of people who fall are falling through the cracks before the government can get their act together and these smaller organizations reach them.