Jakarta, IO – The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is encouraging citizens to recognize early signs of mental health problems, and to seek help if needed. The fact is that mental health disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono observes how mental health problems are often nearly invisible, causing many people who are struggling to go without timely support.
“Someone may appear healthy, but when we take a closer look, we discover that they may be dealing with deep problems,” Prof. Dante said, at a mental health media briefing held at Soeharto Heerdjan Hospital, in Jakarta on Friday (4/9/2026).
Prof. Dante urged everyone to become more attentive to behavioral changes in those around them and to not wait until a situation degenerates into a crisis. He encouraged everyone to play a role in helping people with mental health – without having to be an expert. “Start with four simple steps: Ask, Listen, Accompany, and Connect,” Prof. Dante suggested.
The first step: Ask with sincerity how someone is doing, when they demonstrate changes in their behavior or emotional condition. Then, Listen: give the person who seems troubled space to talk – without making any judgment. The third is Accompany: assure them that they are not alone in their struggle. The fourth is Connect: help them reach out to family members or expert health professionals when they show they need further support.
These four steps are important, because mental health problems often manifest in a gradual, subtle manner and may thus not be immediately apparent. An expression of support from people close to them can help individuals receive timely assistance.
Second-Leading Cause: YLDs
Globally, Prof. Dante estimated, one in seven people is living with a mental health disorder – some kind of condition that can significantly affect their quality of life; indeed, these and are among the important health issues that may require serious attention.
In Indonesia, mental health disorders are the second-leading cause of “Years Lived with Disability” (YLDs), exerting an even greater negative impact on quality of life than diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Such diagnosed disorders are surpassed only by musculoskeletal impairments, which rank first. Violence and selfharm rank 20th.
People should be aware of changes in someone’s physical condition, emotions or behavior, particularly when a dissonance persists for more than a couple of weeks. Signs may include disrupted sleep patterns, recurring fatigue, unexpected changes in weight, irritability, excessive anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and noticeable changes in speech or daily routines.
The Ministry of Health is also strengthening early detection, through its Free Health Checkup (CKG) program. Of the 33 million people who underwent mental health screening through CKG, symptoms of depression and anxiety among children and adolescents were 1.6 times higher than among adults and older people.
CKG screening of school-age children and adolescents revealed that 34,961 people (1.08%) were likely suffering symptoms of depression, while 33,290 (1.03%) evidenced anxiety. Among adults and older people, 186,629 (0.66%) reported depressive feelings, while 157,434 (0.56%) showed anxiety.
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Apart from CKG, people can conduct mental health screening independently through SatuSehat, taking advantage of the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ20). Screening results can help individuals better analyze their mental health and objectively determine whether they might benefit from a consultation with a healthcare professional.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is expanding mental health services for different age groups, from pregnant and postpartum women to children, adolescents and adults, so that mental health problems can be identified and addressed as early as possible.
Anyone who needs support with mental health concerns is invited to access Healing119, free of charge, by calling 119, extension 8. The service offers psychological support and can expedite appropriate assistance. (est)
