I

n the absence of data on suicides in the country, the Health Ministry will attempt to compile statistics based on figures from related institutions.

The ministry'€™s director of mental health, Eka Viora, said on Thursday that the ministry had signed a deal with the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first stage in its efforts. '€œWe will use a special international form [to collect data on suicides],'€ she told The Jakarta Post at the ministry'€™s office in South Jakarta. '€œThe form will be used by many sectors, such as the police [to identify a suicide case].'€

She said the data-gathering process was needed urgently as the government had no data on suicide rates in the country.

The lack of data has hindered the government'€™s efforts to effectively prevent suicides as well as to detect people with mental illnesses that may lead to suicide.

While the WHO had already reported in 2010 that the suicide rate in Indonesia stood at 1.6 to 1.8 per 100,000 people or 5,000 people per year, Eka said the data might be inaccurate as suicide cases in the country tended to be under-reported.

The problem was exacerbated by the fact that there was still a stigma attached to suicide in society, which caused people with mental problems and suicidal tendencies to refrain from coming forward for help with their conditions, she said.

'€œMental problems are usually associated with people who get treated in mental hospitals, when in fact, the range of mental health issues is really wide,'€ Eka said.

Eka also attributed the difficulties in collecting data on suicide to the fact that Indonesia was a country deeply rooted in religion.

'€œIn Islam, it is said that committing suicide is a sinful act, which is why family members [of suicide victims] are usually too embarrassed [to tell the truth],'€ she said.

Moreover, hospitals also often frequently fail to accurately diagnose a suicide attempt, according to Eka. '€œDrinking Baygon mosquito repellent is never diagnosed as attempted suicide unless there is a consultation with a psychiatrist,'€ she said.

According to Albert Maramis, a mental health consultant for World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, in order to get reliable and accurate information on suicide cases in the country, there is a need for the government to collect a large amount of data.

Besides collecting data, Albert also hoped the government would be able to provide necessary help to those with suicidal tendencies as well as educate people on the need to help others.

He said the stigma attached to people with mental problems prevented them from getting the necessary help. '€œI hope that we can be more sensitive and willing to lend a helping hand to those around us in need and who have suicidal tendencies,'€ he said.

Albert added that it was actually dangerous to downplay the gravity of the condition of someone with suicidal tendencies.

'€œDon'€™t ignore them. Don'€™t say '€˜hush, you can'€™t say such a thing! It'€™s a sin!'€™ when they tell you their condition. If that'€™s the case, then the communication will be stopped and they will be silenced,'€ he said.

Danardi Sosrosumihardjo, the chairman of the Indonesian Psychiatrists Association (PDSKJI), said on Thursday that on top of the lack of data, the country also suffered from a lack of psychiatrists.

'€œThe number of psychiatrists in the country is a mere 820. Of course it is not enough,'€ he said. '€œMoreover, these psychiatrists are available only in major cities.'€

Eka said that the government would discuss with the WHO next week to decide on when the government would implement the WHO'€™s system to collect suicide data. '€œAt least next year we can have a rough picture that we can present to the WHO,'€ she said.