Introducing recovery-oriented practice in Indonesia: the Sukabumi project – an innovative mental health programme

Abstract

Indonesia has pledged to abolish the practice of pasung, the physical restraint of mentally-ill people. Achievement of this goal requires collaboration between mental health services and key sectors such as social welfare, education, housing and employment, representing an enormous challenge for a rapidly urbanising nation with an inadequate infrastructure and a growing problem of homelessness.

The Indonesian Government Ministry of Social Affairs is implementing an ambitious programme to improve its services for people with mental illness, particularly those who have been homeless or in pasung. With the support of Australian partners, Mind Australia and Asia Australia Mental Health, it is introducing the mental health recovery approach, commencing with pilots in two areas.

Keywords::

• mental health
• recovery-oriented practice
• pasung
• homelessness
• lived experience