Indonesian NGO and Government Partnerships
Key members of the Indonesian Mental health Association (or Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat/PJS in Indonesia), a carer and consumer group travelled to Melbourne in May 2011. Travelling with representatives from the Social Affairs Ministry, this group visited Clarendon Community Clinic, Footbridge Continuing Care Unit and the Acute Inpatient Unit and met with colleagues from St. Vincent’s Mental Health.
The group was led by Ms. Yeni Rosa Damayanti, carer and chair person of IMHA with Mr. Esa Sumatri, the Head of Sub-Directorate of Social and Rehabilitation Services for People with Mental Illness,
Ms.Eni Nuryani, head of sub-directorate of social welfare maintenance and assistance, ministry of social affair, Jakarta,
Ms. Retno, the head of Phalamarta Shelter, Rhino Ariefiansyah, Consumer Consultant, Ms. Wydia Lolita, Psychiatric nurse, and Mr. La Tatong, the head of Budi Luhur social rehabilitation shelter for people with mental illness, Banjar Baru, South Kalimanatan.
In Indonesia, it is important to note that mental health is the responsibility of both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs. AAMH Program Manager Mr. David Paroissien said that “it was extremely positive that representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs felt it was important to come to Melbourne with Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat to further develop their understanding of community mental health service delivery. In particular, it was important that the government representatives saw with their own eyes what is possible in community mental health services, and that it is worth pursuing for Indonesia.”
The group were invited to visit Melbourne by MIND and participated in Hearing Voices - a 4 day workshop on theory and practice of working with and talking to voices. This visit has planted a vision for the Government and NGO partnership in mental health. This kind of collaboration has the potential to enhance National and State Government Mental Health Plans, due to be completed in 2012 and for a concentrated, mutual effort to develop community services by maximising social welfare and NGO resources.
Indonesia-Australia Collaboration in Mental Health - 2007
In 2007, the Australia-Indonesia Institute sponsored a partnership between Asia-Australia Mental Health and the Indonesian Ministry of Health to facilitate two Indonesian psychiatrists (Dr Diding Sawaludin - Ministry of Health, Dr Hervita Diatri - University of Indonesia) to undertake community psychiatry training in Melbourne.
Building on this partnership, AAMH hosted key members of Indonesia’s mental health leadership in Melbourne in December 2007. During their visit, a Public Briefing was organised to discuss ways for Indonesia and Australia to collaborate in mental health. Representatives of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) attended. Following this briefing, AAMH and DoHA were invited by the MInistry of Health to visit Jakarta to discuss further the possibility of collaboration. To see the outcomes of AAMH's subsequent visit to Jakarta, see our report [pdf, 150 kb, 11 pages].
Indonesia is also a key participant in the Asia-Pacific Community Mental Health Development project.
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Front Row (L-R): Ms Julia Fraser (AAMH), Dr Yulizar Darwis (Immediate Past Director, Mental Health, Ministry of Health), Dr Dhashriati Ali (MOH), Dr Eka Viora (MOH), Dr Hervita Diatri (University of Indonesia, Australia-Indonesia Institute Fellowship awardee). Back Row (L-R): A/Prof. Chee Ng (AAMH), Dr Diding Sawaludin (MOH, Australia-Indonesia Institute Fellowship awardee), Dr Andrew Mohanraj (CBM International), Mr Graeme Doidge (St. Vincent's Mental Health), Mr Steve Fisher (BasicNeeds).
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