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Indonesian Laws surrounding Mental Health

Did you know?

In 2014, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) has passed a regulation which specifically regulates mental health!

These regulations were compiled in Law No. 18 of 2014. One of the things discussed in the law was the terms of ODMK and ODGJ. Are you familiar with these two terms?

So, the two terms aim to explain the differences between two mental conditions. Specifically, ODMK stands for Orang dengan Masalah Kejiwaan (People With Psychological Problems). According to Law No. 18 of 2014, the term ODMK refers to people who have physical, mental, social problems, problems regarding growth and development and/or their quality of life so that they have a risk of suffering from mental disorders. Whereas ODGJ stands for Orang dengan Gangguan Jiwa (People with Mental Disorders), which refers to people who experience disturbances in thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that manifest in the form of a set of significant symptoms and/or behavioral changes, and can cause suffering and obstacles in functioning as a human being.

“One crucial thing that needs to be emphasized regarding the two terms is the use of the words "problem" and "disorder".”

Keep in mind that the two terms aim to explain, and are not a reference for labeling or diagnosing someone's mental condition ...!

One crucial thing that needs to be emphasized regarding the two terms is the use of the words "problem" and "disorder". What's the difference? Okay, to make things easier, let's use everyday transportations as an analogy; namely cars and/or motorbikes. Now, we are comparing these means of transportation to our mental condition. When we drive using a vehicle in good condition, our journey will feel smoother. However, along the way, we will definitely encounter a number of obstacles that can prevent the vehicle from functioning properly. Well, when we feel that there is a "problem" with these means of transportation, we should immediately seek help from the nearest workshop. This is because, if not addressed immediately, the "problem" can potentially become a serious "disturbance" (or “disorder” in the context of mental health) to our transportation. Over time, the "disorder" can also interfere with our activities because it inhibits mobility.

Just like psychiatric conditions, we ​​often encounter problems in our everyday lives that are very difficult to avoid. Whether we realize it or not, the problem has an impact on our mental condition. Before the problem develops and disrupts our daily lives, do not hesitate to consult with professionals such as counselors or psychologists. A concrete example is when someone - say, who has the initial A, is a victim of natural disasters... natural disasters themselves are events that are difficult to avoid and can potentially destabilize one's mental condition. The possibility for A to experience mental problems becomes greater, such as prolonged sadness due to loss of family members. If this condition is not immediately healed, prolonged sadness can cause A to experience mental disorders such as depression.

Learn more about mental health at Seribu Tujuan

Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia No. 18 Tahun 2014 tentang Kesehatan Jiwa