UI Recommends 4 Mental Health Policies During a Pandemic

             Aug 28, 2020

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DEPOK -- A number of academics from the University of Indonesia (UI) who are members of the UI's Covid- 19  Response Mahadata Synergy Team under the coordination of the Directorate of Innovation and Science Techno Park (DISTP) UI and the Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI) The UI Faculty of Medicine conveyed priority policy recommendations for the government to reduce mental health problems during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

This research was conducted as an effort to answer the challenges and problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic which has an impact on physical and mental health, now and in the future, as well as affecting people's productivity and socio-economic conditions of the country.

The policy formulation team is a researcher across the UI faculties, namely Dr. Bagus Takwin, M. Hum., Damar P Susilaradeya, Ph.D., dr. Diashati Mardiasmo, BMedSc, MRes, Dicky C. Pelupessy, Ph.D., dr. Gina Anindyajati, SpKJ, Dr. dr Hervita Diatri, SpKJ(K) and Laras Sekarasih, Ph.D.

The first recommendation of the four policies is to prevent mental health crises during and after the pandemic by facilitating the results of surveillance of mental health problems and health resources, as well as providing support for access to reliable information and technology.

Second, providing mental health and psychosocial support for productive age groups and other vulnerable groups in the form of facilitating adaptation to work and studying from home, strengthening interactions within the family, social security and health.

Third, expanding the reach of mental health services in the community by facilitating access (including self-checking technology and teleconsultation), integrated physical health services, standardized service guidelines, and active outreach in the community.

Fourth, ensure the continuity of mental health services for people with mental disorders through the development of telemedicine, drug access policies, and prevention of physical health risks.

dr. Gina Anindyajati, SpKJ, said that a survey in Indonesia found that the proportion of people with symptoms of depression during the Covid-19 pandemic reached 35 percent. "This figure is 5-6 times higher than the incidence of depression in the general population (Basic Health Research in 2018) and 2-3 times higher than the incidence of depression in other non-pandemic disasters," said Gina in a press release. received by  Republika.co.id, Thursday (27/8).

Furthermore, Dr. Dr. Hervita Diatri, SpKJ(K) said that there were at least four mental health problems that had been identified in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. This problem is a new problem or a continuation of an increasingly severe problem.

"First, the high proportion of depression, anxiety, and distress in the community, including the group of health care workers. Second, the large number of people in productive age who experience mental health problems during the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with other vulnerable groups (women, children and adolescents, and the elderly). Third, the limited reach of mental health services in the community and fourth, the disconnection of health services for people with mental disorders and increasing the risk of recurrence," he explained.

Meanwhile, Damar P Susilaradeya, Ph.D said that the degree of mental health is the key to people's productivity in their personal and social lives. "Those who are exposed to Covid-19 infection and their families, health workers, and the general public can experience mental health problems that lead to low performance and productivity. The policy brief can be accessed through https://sinergimahadataui.id/policy-brief/," he said. .

UI Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. rer. grout. Abdul Haris appreciates the efforts of UI researchers and academics in producing works of thought that are beneficial for the government and society.

"We have recorded at least 10 policy briefs that we submitted to the government regarding policies to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. UI takes on its role as a producer of ideas to provide a number of research-based policy recommendations in the field, as an effort to support the government in carrying out the right strategy to overcome the impact of the Covid pandemic. -19 in Indonesia," he concluded.

             Obtained from:

https://republika.co.id/berita/qfqkrn327/ui-rekomendasikan-4-kebijakan-kesehatan-mental-saat-pandemi