Indonesia Expands Mental Health Support for Children with Expanded Health Checks

Jakarta – The Indonesian government is significantly expanding its Free Health Check (CKG) program in 2026 to prioritize the mental health of children, following concerning data revealing a rise in anxiety and depression among young people. The initiative aims to reach 14 million children this year, building on the seven million screened in 2025.

Rising Mental Health Concerns

Recent findings from the CKG program indicate a substantial prevalence of mental health issues in Indonesian children. Approximately 4.4 percent, or 338,000 children, exhibited symptoms of anxiety, while 4.8 percent, or 363,000, showed signs of depression . Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized the significance of these numbers, noting a concerning trend in suicidal ideation.

Data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey shows an increase in children attempting suicide, rising from 3.9 percent in 2015 to 10.7 percent in 2023 .

Expanding the Free Health Check Program

The government plans to expand the CKG program to reach 25 million children overall . The program not only provides free medical screenings but also covers the cost of disease prevention and treatment following examinations . For the first 15 days of the program, these services are available to all 280 million Indonesians. After that, free preventative and treatment services will be available exclusively to individuals who are actively enrolled in the national health insurance system, BPJS Kesehatan .

Addressing Root Causes and Providing Support

Minister Sadikin identified family problems, including domestic conflicts and parenting styles, and bullying in schools as key contributing factors to mental health issues in children . To address these issues, the Ministry of Health plans to expand mental health screening through the CKG program and provide education for teachers to aid them recognize and respond to social pressures like bullying.

Emergency helplines, such as Healing119.id, will continue to operate to provide immediate support . Clinical protocols and treatment plans are being prepared for children requiring follow-up care, and Community Health Centers (Puskesmas) will be equipped with mental health professionals.

Inter-Ministry Collaboration

A Joint Decree (SKB) on Child Mental Health, signed by nine ministries and institutions on March 5, 2026, aims to build an integrated child mental health management system, encompassing prevention and treatment . The involved agencies include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the Ministry of Communication and Digital, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Population and Family Development, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the National Police . The government is also prioritizing the confidentiality of children’s personal data to prevent stigma.

Recent Tragic Cases

Sadly, four children aged between 11 and 14 died by suicide in 2026, with cases reported in East Nusa Tenggara, West Java, Central Java, and East Kalimantan .