en.malanginspirasi.com – The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) continues to strengthen efforts to improve mental health among children in educational institutions.
In the classroom, many children appear fine by attending every morning, participating in lessons, joking with friends, and even smiling at their teachers.
However, behind these scenes, many children and adolescents secretly harbor anxiety, stress, and even mental exhaustion that they can never truly share.
Dr. Yunita Arihandayani, Head of the Early Detection and Prevention of Mental Health Problems Working Team at the Directorate of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups at the Ministry of Health, stated that the challenges facing children’s mental health today are far more complex than those of previous generations.
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“Previously, pressure might have come only from home, school, or friends. Now, children face pressure from many directions, including social media, cyberbullying, and social isolation,” said Yunita during a joint webinar with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) and the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education (Kemendikbud) on strengthening children’s mental health in educational settings.
She said schools are now the most strategic space for early detection of mental health problems because children spend most of their time in educational settings.
Therefore, educators, especially guidance and counseling (BK) teachers, have a crucial position as the first to observe changes in children’s behavior. “Don’t wait for children to be in crisis before we help,” she advised.
The Rate of Mental Health Vulnerability
Data from the Free School Health Check (CKG) program shows that the mental health vulnerability of Indonesian children is hard to underestimate.
Throughout 2025, 7.6 million school-aged children aged 7–17 years underwent mental health screening through the program.
Results showed that approximately 4.8 percent, or more than 363,000 children, showed symptoms of depression. Meanwhile, another 4.4 percent, or approximately 338,000 children, experienced symptoms of anxiety.
These findings are reinforced by the increase in child and adolescent suicide cases in several regions of Indonesia in early 2026.
Yunita emphasized that this problem is not solely driven by economic factors, but rather the accumulation of various psychosocial pressures experienced by children.
“Everything from family conflict, unhealthy friendships, academic pressure, violence, to a lack of safe spaces to talk are factors that can impact children’s mental health. Children’s mental health issues are not just a medical issue, but also an issue of child development and protection,” she emphasized.
Yunita explained that children experiencing psychological problems often show subtle signs that often go unnoticed.
Emotional changes, decreased academic performance, social withdrawal, and even expressions of hopelessness need to be understood as signals that the child is not doing well.
The Best Approach from Guidance Counselors
In certain circumstances, guidance counselors are expected to immediately approach, provide emotional support, and connect the child to professional services if high-risk signs are detected.
“Sometimes the simplest thing that can help a child is having someone willing to listen. And that person could be a guidance counselor,” she said.
To strengthen the child mental health support system, the government has developed various cross-sectoral policies.
One way to achieve this was through the signing of a joint decree by nine ministers in March 2026 concerning strengthening children’s mental health in educational settings.
The Ministry of Health also implemented the First Aid for Psychological Wounds (P3LP) program as part of mental health promotion in schools.
This program encourages teachers and students to be more sensitive to changes in emotions and behavior, to listen without judgment, and to help connect children with professionals.
Furthermore, mental health services at community health centers (Puskesmas) are continuously being strengthened, including the gradual addition of clinical psychologists. Furthermore, mental health promotion also begins within the family.
What Kemenkes Expects Parents
Through the Mental Health Care campaign, Kemenkes encourages parents to build positive communication, manage emotions and stress, and implement positive discipline in parenting.
Yunita emphasized that children’s mental health is not developed when problems are already severe, but rather from the time the child is still healthy. “Children’s mental health is not solely the responsibility of the school. It is a shared responsibility, from the family, school, community, and even the state,” she said.
Through the School Mental Health Assessment (CKG), the government has now also included mental health screenings as part of routine student checkups.
Screening can use a simple questionnaire to detect symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other psychological distress early.
This approach can help children receive support sooner before problems arise. h develop into more serious conditions.
“Amidst the intense social and digital pressures facing today’s young generation, attention to children’s mental health is an urgent need. Because children aren’t always able to express when they’re hurting. Sometimes they just hope there’s an adult who cares enough to listen,” he concluded.
