The Minister of Social Affairs Calls on Community to Increase Concern and Togetherness in Anticipating Depression Behavior

SRAGEN (15 May 2022) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini asked stakeholders at the RT/RW and village levels to participate in reducing depression in society. One effort that can be done is to create togetherness and openness.

"Chiefs of RT, RW, villages and all related parties who have direct contact with society, have to create a space of togetherness. Create any positive activities that can open up to each other," said the Minister during her working visit to Sragen Regency (15/05).

The Minister needs to convey the appeal after knowing that three residents in the area were caught hanging themselves in two incidents in Sragen Regency.

The suicides were Ar (40) and SLAS (6) residents of Grasak Hamlet, Gondang Village, Gondang District. Meanwhile, the second incident the suicide was S (30) a resident of Pengkok Village, Kedawung District. S leaves his wife RH (34 years), a daughter KA (6 years) and a son AR (4 years).

The Minister stated that both Ar and S might be quiet people. "But it is their surrounding environment that must be considerate. You must care for others. There must be open communication where society can express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions, between friends or neighbours. It can reduce the burden," said the Minister to Pengkok residents.

The late Ar left his wife NDL (35) who is now working as an Indonesian migrant worker (TKI) in Singapore and the first child FLAS (13) who is in junior high school. Meanwhile, the late S left a wife and two toddlers.

On that occasion, the Minister contacted NDL (35), Ar's wife. The Minister asked her to return to Indonesia. "You have to come home because this is an extraordinary incident. Your child needs your presence and care," said the Minister.

To the bereaved families, the Minister motivated them to be patient and not stop trying. "Everyone faces trials and difficulties. But we must not stop trying," the Minister added.

The Minister also motivated FLAS to continue going to school and chasing his dreams. "You must continue your study. Later, I will help you with school equipment to achieve your goals," said the Minister.

Furthermore, the Minister advised RH to be patient. "You are not alone. There are many people out there who love you," she said. She then offered RH to open a business with assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA).

When meeting Ar’s family, the Minister handed over assistance in the form of basic necessities, sympathy gifts of IDR 2,000,000, education savings of IDR 5,000,000, capital funding for catfish farming of IDR 3,000,000 and school equipment (bags, shoes, stationery, books, and laptop).

Meanwhile, to the family of the late S, the Minister handed over sympathy gifts of IDR 2,000,000, education savings of IDR 10,000,000, and IDR 5,000,000 each for the daily needs of 2 children. The total assistance is IDR 22,000,000. The assistance was from Antasena Center in Magelang.

In addition, the Ministry also sent the families left behind to have hypnotherapy so that they accept the death of their father/husband and continue to live their lives.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs