Jakarta — The Community Health Center (Puskesmas) in Cilandak, South Jakarta, was currently striving to suppress the hike number of people suffering mental disorder by conducting an early detection. The program was fundamental considering a lot of reasons could trigger such illness.
“Some caused by disease, domestic violence, economy, or even sexual harassment,” said Rathia Ayuningtyas, as the person in charge of a mental program organized by Puskesmas Cilandak, on Saturday, July 21.
Rathia said she had found a person with mental illness due to hemorrhoid. That person continually felt anxious everytime he/she had a bowel movement which led to depression.
She further mentioned another people with a mental disorder due to domestic violence. “The wife is beaten and depressed,” she added.
Aside from that, Rathia reminded young people were also possible to have a mental illness. For example, she added, a teenager fell into a depression because of his/her parents having affair.
According to Rathia, people with psychiatric disorders needed to be encouraged. The health officer should discuss with them and understand the root of the problem.
Puskesmas Cilandak recorded a 25 percent increase in the number of people with a mental disorder during 2016-2017. In 2016, there were 23,188 patients and in 2017, amounted to 30,926 people.
Moreover, patients with the heavy category of mental illness such as schizophrenia are increased. Based on the data, there were 187 patients in 2016 and rose to 203 people last year, and thus far, in July 2018, reached 227 patients.
According to Rathia, the case of people with a mental disorder was like an iceberg phenomenon. “So, only a few cases are seen on the tip, while in fact, there are many hidden cases.”
