Author: Emi Patmisari
Patmisari, Emi, 2014 Indonesian Mental Health Reform: A case study of West Java, Indonesia, Flinders University, School of Health Sciences
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Background: Mental health is a continuing health problem in Indonesia, the latest survey in 2007 stated that the national prevalence for mental disorders being at 116/1000. A strategy for the transformation of the mental health system, from a hospital-based mental health approach to one that is focused on community-based care, was firstly documented in the 2001 National Mental Health Policy. This policy, however, is not automatically translated into adequate delivery of mental health services at local government levels. It is not an easy task for ensuring the implementation of mental health reform within local levels, particularly in West Java province as the most populous province and the highest prevalence of mental health problems. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the meanings of mental health reform policy understood by the West Java bureaucrats. Methods: Grounded by an interpretive paradigm, this case study was conducted by collecting information from primary and secondary sources that include interviews with 20 West Java bureaucrats and relevant policy documents. Findings: The slow pace of mental health reform in West Java has been underpinned by complex interrelated factors. In West Java, there is much evidence to suggest that the problem is not the mental health reform policy itself, but rather the bureaucratic system and the lack of organisational capacity for supporting policy implementation. Rigid regulatory frameworks make the implementation difficult, and organisational barriers get in the way of good mental health service. Discussion: Using Laris and MacDougall's trilogy model involving civic philosophycustodial role-civic organiser role, it is clear that the values of bureaucracy, that is the civic philosophy, appear to be 'out-of-sight' in West Java, and the 'busyness' of the custodial role leaves limited space for manoeuvre as a civic organiser to engage with the West Java organisation's external partners to 'govern' mental health reform. The strategy proposed is to facilitate more on the public organisation's civic organiser role by emphasising four important aspects: leadership, readiness for change, conflict management, and partnerships.
Keywords: Mental health policy,mental health reform,policy analysis
Subject: Public Health thesis
Thesis type: Professional Doctorate
Completed: 2014
School: School of Health Sciences
Supervisor: A/Prof. Colin MacDougall