THE EDITOR – The Banyuwangi Regency Government is taking various measures to prevent mental health disorders that target the younger generation, especially generation Z (people born between 1997-2012).
“One of the measures to prevent this, we held a Youth Mental Health talk show targeting hundreds of high school and vocational school participants,” said Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani when opening the talk show held at Pendopo Sabha Swagata Blambangan, Monday (25/11/2024).
Ipuk explained that Generation Z is a group of people who are vulnerable to becoming victims of mental disorders, including due to cybercrime in this digital era. For this reason, her office will increase programmes related to mental health treatment for adolescents.
“We have asked the Health Office to start conducting regular mental health screening for adolescents. Health workers and mental health cadres will be encouraged to actively provide services and assistance for people experiencing mental health problems,” she said.
“In the school, the role of counselling teachers will also be intensified. This needs cooperation between parents and teachers, since parenting should not only be left to the teacher. It is the parents whose role is very large,” she continued.
With the talkshow, Ipuk hoped that the participating students could become ambassadors or pass on their knowledge about preventing mental disorders in their schools and neighbourhoods.
The talk show, which is a series of commemorations of National Health Day, presented a number of speakers. Among them was the Director of Menur Mental Hospital Surabaya, drg. Vitria Dewi who shared tips on preventing mental illness in adolescents. Also present was the Child and Adolescent Health Consultant of RSJ Menu, Dr Ivana Sajogo.
On that occasion, Putri Indonesia Education and Culture 2024, Melati Tedja, also shared the importance of maintaining mental health so that she can excel without experiencing pressure.
Meanwhile, Acting Head of the Banyuwangi Health Office Amir Hidayat added that the regency government has prepared various programmes, both for the prevention and treatment of mental health cases.
“We collaborate with Menur Mental Hospital in Surabaya for handling mild mental cases. There are psychiatrists and psychologists who open a consultation hotline for 24 hours. As for severe mental health cases, the regency government is assisted by Lawang Mental Hospital which provides free rehabilitation services,” he said.
According to Amir, mental health problems must receive great attention from all elements of society.
“Efforts to prevent and overcome mental disorders are not only individual or clinical, but must involve all levels of society,” he concluded.
