Report Shows Mentally Ill in Indonesia ‘Living in Hell’

A recent report revealed that 18,800 people with psychosocial disabilities are currently chained and confined in small spaces in Indonesia.
Report Shows Mentally Ill in Indonesia ‘Living in Hell’
Andrea Star Reese/ Human Rights Watch
3/21/2016
Updated:
3/21/2016

A recent report revealed that 18,800 people with psychosocial disabilities are currently chained and confined in small spaces in Indonesia.

The data released by the non-profit Human Rights Watch also stated that 57,000 people with real or perceived mental health conditions have been shackled and confined, a practice known as pasung, at least once in their life.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health has recognized pasung as inhumane and discriminatory and the practice has been banned by the government for decades. 

In the facilities—where there is barely space to walk—overcrowding contributes to lice and skin conditions such as scabies.

“They shaved my head because there is a lot of lice,” said a woman staying at an institution.

“They never give lice shampoo. They shave my head every three months. They shave everyone’s hair,” she continued.

Human Rights Watch also found male staff entering and exiting women’s wards or sections at will, or were placed in charge of the women’s unit at night, putting women and girls at risk of sexual harassment and violence.

On the other hand, in traditional or religious healing centers, mental health care is not available, and admissions and releases are decided by faith healers.

According to the report, people staying at those facilities have no access to toilets leading them to urinate, defecate, eat, and sleep in a one to two meter radius.

“Imagine living in hell, it’s like that here,” said a 22-year-old woman with a psychosocial disability about the religious healing center she lived in.