The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) highlighted that mental health programs offered through the integrated health post (posyandu) services can aid in reducing the prevalence of stunting which is still at 21.6%. The head of BKKBN, Hasto Wardoyo stressed the importance of comprehensively addressing mental health issues in Indonesia. Reports reveal that at present, teenagers suffering from mental-emotional disorders have increased from 6.9% in 2013 to 9.8% in 2018 which means that almost one in 10 children suffer from mental disorders. Such conditions can lead to adverse effects on parenting, affection, and could cause an inadequate supply of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 1,000 days of life (HPK), which can result in malnutrition in children.
BKKBN suggested that a program should be formulated to maintain the mental stability of mothers, including those who are expecting, from a young age so that any mental issues they may experience do not interfere with parenting or breastfeeding. There is a need for the involvement of frontliners like posyandus, who can provide an educational intervention model and help detect mental health disorders, especially in pregnant women. Postpartum stress is prevalent in 86% of pregnant women and, four out of 10 mothers with baby blues experience prolonged depression. Therefore, implementing mental health intervention programs in posyandus is vital for maintaining the mental stability of mothers, especially in terms of maternal and child health and reducing stunting in children.
Towards this goal, the BKKBN is holding a dialogue with the Indonesian Women’s Community Council (WIK), a women’s organization that has initiated the Mental Health Intervention Program at posyandus. According to Wardoyo, the program will be discussed further at an expert meeting on June 17, 2023. The mental health program will be implemented through various schemes aimed at accelerating stunting reduction in Semarang city.
The founder of WIK, Maria Stefani Ekowati, stated that there has been a surge in mental health disorders among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Indonesia. Six out of 10 breastfeeding mothers have reported feeling unhappy, which is an early sign of a mental health disorder. Antenatal Care (ANC) services at posyandus do not currently include aspects of education and mental health interventions. However, if posyandus can provide interventions, particularly in the 1,000 HPK, by enhancing mothers’ knowledge and behavioural choices related to maternal and child health, they can avoid stress that could impact their children’s health. Mental health education covers nutrition, immunization, disease prevention and healthcare.
“The mothers’ level of trust in posyandus is still very high. Posyandu counselling as the main source of information on maternal health reaches 89%,” said Ekowati. Therefore, posyandus can aid in providing an effective program that offers mental health interventions for mothers and reduces stunting in children.
In conclusion, the BKKBN’s focus on mental health programs through Integrated health post services is a crucial step towards improving the health of mothers and children in Indonesia. Posyandus are well-positioned to offer mental health intervention programs and maintain the mental stability of mothers, especially in the 1,000 HPK, by facilitating the knowledge and behavioural choices related to maternal and child health. Posyandus can also help detect mental health disorders in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers which will further assist in reducing the prevalence of stunting in children.
