{
  "id": 13836254,
  "title": "People with mental illness need greater say in care",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/people-with-mental-illness-need-greater-say-in-care",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-12T00:54:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/10/12/people-with-mental-illness-need-greater-say-in-care.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indonesia is facing significant gaps in its mental health services, and it is crucial for individuals with mental illness to have more influence over their own care, according to a World Mental Health Day media briefing. Psychiatrist Hervita Diatri from Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) highlighted that patients' needs and experiences are frequently ignored by both healthcare professionals and their families, preventing them from having a voice in their treatment decisions.\n\nHervita pointed out that bringing patients to health facilities is often difficult, and when they do arrive, doctors frequently speak with their families instead of directly with the patients. This professional-centric approach to mental health services, she argued, leaves patients with little agency over their own recovery.\n\nThe Health Ministry's primary and community health director general, Maria Endang Sumiwi, emphasized that enhancing mental health services necessitates collaboration not just from the government, professionals, and the public, but also from those directly affected by mental illness. She stressed that mental health services should be inclusive, reflecting the diverse needs and interaction styles of those experiencing mental health conditions.\n\nHowever, access to mental health services remains a major obstacle in Indonesia. Although there are over 10,000 community health centers (Puskesmas), only approximately 6,500 provide mental health services and are staffed with clinical psychologists. The Jakarta Post invited readers to share their experiences, suggestions, and challenges related to mental health services, inviting feedback to improve the situation.",
  "summary": "While Indonesia grapples with gaps in mental health services, people with mental illness should have a greater say in their care and be involved in treatment decisions to better support recovery, a media briefing held to mark World Mental Health Day has said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Patients' needs and experiences often ignored in mental health care.",
    "Health professionals and families typically speak for patients.",
    "Mental health services should be inclusive, reflecting diverse needs."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Shifting toward patient-led decision-making addresses the systemic exclusion of individuals from their own recovery processes within a healthcare landscape currently dominated by professional and family-centric approaches.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}