Nine Years in Stocks, the Ministry of Social Affairs Responded to Cases of ODGJ

BANDUNG (March 17, 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia through the "Phala Martha" Center in Sukabumi in synergy with the Social Welfare Institution (LKS) "Joint Quick Action" (GCB) Bandung, Public Health Centers and other parties in evacuating People with Mental Disabilities (ODGJ) to the Mental Hospital (RSJ) of West Java Province.

TH (37 years old) a resident of Bandung Regency has been in shackles for approximately 9 years. Locked in a room with his legs stocked by a wooden block.

According to one of his family members, TH was stocked because he had threatened the lives of his family members. TH once tried to stab his sister with a knife. Other family members were also threatened because of TH's behavior.

"It's not that we don't love TH because we have put him in stocks, but for the safety of our family and the people around our house, we have to put TH in stocks," said one family.

"We once took TH to a mental hospital, but experienced a relapse due to drug withdrawal," he added.

The Phala Martha team, namely social counseling workers and social workers with LKS Gerakcepat Bersama provide education to families that stocking is an act that violates human rights

Social Counselor Andi Hastono said that handling ODGJ requires synergy and collaboration from all elements.

"Not only can it be solved by one institution, but cooperation between the central and local governments, families and communities is very much needed in order to provide sustainable services so that ODGJ can remain stable in their mental condition and can be independent," added Andi.

"Phala Martha Hall will always establish synergy and cooperation with all elements in order to comprehensively handle ODGJ," he concluded.

With the approach taken by the team, the family was cooperative and supported TH to be evacuated. Prior to the evacuation, a rapid COVID-19 antigen test was carried out and TH was declared negative. Using a village ambulance, TH was successfully evacuated to receive medical treatment at the Mental Hospital of West Java Province.