Early detection of mental disorders through a free health check program
The free health check program (CKG) of the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office (Dinkes) not only detects physical conditions but also identifies early signs of mental disorders in the community.
Of the approximately 2.8 million residents who underwent a health screening, there were indications of people with mental health issues (ODMK) experiencing symptoms of anxiety and stress.
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“During the health screening, we discovered people experiencing anxiety and stress at an early stage. Anyone can experience this, but it must be addressed to prevent it from developing into a serious mental disorder,” said Hery Valona Bonatua Ambarita, Head of the Public Health Department of the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office, during a press conference of the North Sumatra Communication and Information Office in the North Sumatra Dekranasda Lobby, at the office of the Governor of North Sumatra.
According to Hery, the Indonesian Ministry of Public Health estimates that approximately 1.2% of the Indonesian population suffers from anxiety and stress symptoms. If not treated properly, these can develop into mental health problems.
“The Ministry of Public Health estimates that, on average, 1.2% of the Indonesian population experiences anxiety and stress. This means that one to two out of ten people have mental health issues. This situation is still situational and must therefore be addressed through self-defense, education, and therapy,” stated Hery.
He explained that screenings show that adolescents are the group most susceptible to anxiety and stress. Contributing factors include the high workload in secondary school. Additionally, adults also experience significant economic pressure, such as the costs of children’s education and other necessities of life.
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To address this problem, the government is implementing two approaches. First, early detection and treatment of people with mental health issues to prevent them from developing into a serious mental disorder. Secondly, the agency offers comprehensive services to people with mental illnesses who require specialized psychiatry, intensive therapy, and hospitalization.
“Currently, we have been given the target to screen 22,000 people for mental health issues. We have now screened more than 13,000, or 67%. We are confident that we will reach our target in December,” said Hery.
In addition to screening, the North Sumatra Health Bureau also runs a program in which people with severe mental illnesses are treated without restrictions. To date, 186 people with mental illnesses in 33 districts/cities have received treatment.
The program is implemented in collaboration between the North Sumatra Health Bureau, district/city health services, and psychiatric hospitals. This service is part of the implementation of Universal Health Insurance (UHC) and the Free Treatment Program (PROBIS), which is part of the Governor of North Sumatra’s ‘Fastest Best Results Program’ (PHTC). Through this program, people gain access to free mental health care.
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“Next week, we are launching a pilot project with the partnership we have established. We are taking people who are restrained to a psychiatric hospital. In Tanjung Balai, for example, there are still two of the five restrained people whose families are not yet willing to cooperate. People with mental illnesses (ODGJ) must be taken to a psychiatric hospital for standard care,” Hery explained.
According to him, the treatment of ODGJ must be medically administered, involving a diagnosis by a psychiatrist, medication, and, if necessary, intensive care.
“Before the UHC program, people without mental illnesses could not receive treatment. They were simply taken to a community health center and given sedatives, and their mental health issues were not treated. Now, with UHC, people can receive free treatment,” he said.
Through the free treatment program, Hery continued, patients with mental illnesses can receive care in a psychiatric hospital, ranging from examinations by psychiatrists and medication to, if necessary, a 42-day admission.
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“Once admitted to the hospital, they can take their medication faithfully. If they use their medication regularly, they can resume their daily activities. Mental disorders, just like other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, must be treated with medication,” he said. ***rel
