Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The deep deficits in Indonesia’s mental health care system seem to currently lack explanation. While Indonesia’s economic growth may outstrip even that of its neighbors, the country still appears to significantly lack parity in provided mental health resources. Due to the paucity in available information and studies on the topic, this paper seeks to inspect the issue directly through the use of direct interviews supplemented by available literature. Through the interviews of Indonesian self-identified patients, non-patients, and mental health care providers, it appears that the apparent weak state of Indonesia’s mental health care system stems from widely held cultural beliefs. More specifically, the intersection of social expectations, religion, and cultural superstitions impede both the willingness and ability of individuals to seek professional psycho-social support. Ultimately, these interactions appear to render a population that direly desires improved psycho-social support resources unable to articulate demands, leading to a slow development of available resources.
Author: Alexander Gronowski
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3208074751