Mental health problems among Indonesian teenagers are increasing at a concerning rate, according to data from the National Health Insurance Agency (BPJS Kesehatan). Between 2020 and 2024, the agency spent IDR 6.77 trillion ($411.45 million) covering 18.9 million mental health cases.
Most Common Disorders
BPJS Kesehatan chief Ali Gufron Mukti reported that schizophrenia was the most common and costly mental health condition, accounting for around 7.5 million cases and IDR 3.5 trillion ($213.4 million) in expenditures. In 2024 alone, nearly 3 million cases were referred from primary healthcare facilities to hospitals.
Access to Mental Health Services
Under Indonesia’s universal health coverage, all citizens have the right to access mental health care. However, access remains limited. Leading psychologist Tara de Thouars highlighted that only 2.6% of adolescents with mental health issues have sought counseling or emotional support services, and two-thirds of them used the services only once.
Prevalence of Mental Health Issues
According to the 2022 Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) reported by Jakarta Globe, one in three teenagers, or approximately 15.5 million youths, reported experiencing at least one mental health problem in the past 12 months. About 5.5%, or 2.45 million adolescents, were diagnosed with a mental disorder, with anxiety disorders being the most common.
Barriers to Treatment
Stigma remains a major barrier to seeking care. Ms. de Thouars explained that people with mental disorders are often labeled as weak, ungrateful, or even a disgrace, which discourages them from pursuing professional help. Despite the rising number of cases, many adolescents still go without proper support and treatment.
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