The Epidemiology of Indonesian Children and Adolescent School-based Mental Health: Validation of School-based Mental Health Information System

Abstract

Every year, 20% of teenagers at school suffer from common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression (WHO, 2011). Indonesian Health Ministry reported that the prevalence of emotional disturbance of students at age 15 year and above is about 6% (Riset Kesehatan Dasar, 2013). This fact above reaffirms the importance of school-based mental health as a strategic program to elevate adolescent well-being. This study specifically aims to validate mental health screening and diagnostic instrument to collect more accurate and comprehensive data about children and adolescents’ mental health state and manage it using Integrated Mental Health Information System (Sistem Informasi Kesehatan Mental/SIKM). The participants in this study were 308 students consisted of elementary school, middle school, high school students, and 28 teachers in Yogyakarta. Data collection was conducted through online survey using mental health scale and knowledge questionnaire. Additional data was collected through interview and focus group discussion. The data shows that students’ mental health state in Yogyakarta belonged to moderate category (81%) and high (19%). Focus group discussions revealed no system and policies have established to support students’ mental health at schools. Generally, according to assessment done by the teachers, the level of students’ well-being was described as such: 10.71% belonged to high category, 75% moderate, and 14.28% low. These findings provide early data to determine appropriate intervention programs in the future.