The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) is currently prioritizing the reinforcement of the role of clinical psychologists within the national health service system. This strategic move is taken as a demonstration of the government's commitment to balancing physical and mental health care standards down to the grass-roots level.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, stated that access to clinical psychologists will be expanded to the sub-district level. This is done so that the public does not need to travel far distances or wait a long time to receive professional care regarding mental health issues.
"We are accelerating the readiness of clinical psychologists so they can be available at sub-district level health service units soon. This is crucial because mental health is an equal pillar to physical health in the category of health workers," said Pratikno after a meeting with the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, in Yogyakarta on Friday (3/7/2026).
In addition to placing specialists, the government through the Ministry of Health is also running a training program for general psychologists. This initiative aims to equip them with the competence to provide basic psychological counseling to the wider community, allowing early detection of mental issues to be carried out more effectively.
Furthermore, Pratikno emphasized that the Free Health Check-up (PKG) program initiated by the government is no longer limited to physical condition checks alone. The scope of examination has been expanded to detect mental health disorders, which will subsequently be followed up with clinical counseling as part of preventive measures against potential acts of violence in society.
