Lessons from Mutilation Cases, Mental Health Treatment Must Be Holistic

Maintaining mental health requires cooperation from many parties, both oneself and the environment.

SEMARANG, KOMPAS — In the last few days, a case of murder and mutilation by a husband suspected of having mental disorders of his wife in Ciamis, Java West, inviting public concern. Handling of someone who experiences mental health disorders is considered to need to be done holistically to prevent negative impacts on the sufferer and the people around them.

TBD (51), a resident of Cisontrol Village, Rancah District, Ciamis Regency, killed his wife, Y (42), on Friday (3/5/2024). The police said that TBD first tortured Y to death before mutilating Y's body into five parts (Kompas.id, 6/5/2024).

The Head of Public Relations Division of West Java Regional Police, Commissioner Jules Abast, stated that the perpetrator is still undergoing psychological examination by psychologists provided by the Ciamis Police Department. The results of the examination will be known in the near future.

Also read: Husband Mutilates Wife in Ciamis, Police Reveal New Facts

Previously, Ciamis Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief, Adjunct Commissioner Joko Prihatin, stated that the perpetrator had undergone a mental health examination by health officers from the local health center three days prior to the murder. The perpetrator had also received tranquilizers to overcome his health condition (Kompas.id, 3/5/2024).

"It is suspected that the perpetrator was experiencing depression due to economic conditions. "His goat farming business has declined drastically," said Joko.

A specialist in mental medicine at Dr Soeradji Tirtonegoro Central General Hospital, Mega Dhestiana, said that economic problems are one of the factors that trigger mental disorders. People from various economic conditions, whether lower, middle or upper, all have the potential for mental disorders.

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

Screenshot of an online discussion held by the Soeradji Tirtonegoro General Hospital in Klaten District, Central Java, on Tuesday (7/5/2024). The seminar discussed the topic of mental health.

”(People) with minimal or medium incomes are vulnerable to experiencing anxiety or depression because they think about meeting their needs. "Meanwhile, those with high incomes are anxious or depressed because they think about how to maintain their income and assets," said Mega in a talk about mental health held at Soeradji Tirtonegoro Hospital, Tuesday (7/ 5/2024).

Despite having the same risks, based on the results of several studies cited by Mega, a person with low income has a three times greater risk of experiencing mental disorders. If people with mental disorders cannot adapt or cope with their economic problems well, it is not impossible for them to experience mental disturbances.

To prevent someone with a mental disorder from becoming a person with a mental illness, it is necessary to improve their social and emotional abilities. Someone with a mental disorder is also said to need to prepare coping strategies or good responses to stress.

DICKY INDRATNO

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"Besides individual factors, people with mental disorders also need support from their family, community, and structural elements. The structural element is related to government policies," said Mega.

Mega stated that various studies mentioned that as many as 71% of people with mental disorders are not properly treated. The cause is the lack of information and stigma.

Apart from individual factors, people with mental disorders also need family, community and structural support.

According to Mega, families play the most crucial role in preventing the deterioration of the condition of those with mental or emotional disorders. After the patient receives medical assistance, families should acquire knowledge about the treatment and care management of those with mental and emotional disorders. If handled correctly, the patient is expected to recover.

In the community setting, individuals with mental disorders or mental illness also need to receive good acceptance. In addition, empowerment of these individuals is considered important so that they can remain productive.

Apart from that, Mega believes that the government needs to collaborate with related parties so that mental health services are provided optimally. It is said that health services need to be carried out with a promotive approach or improving mental or mental health, preventive or prevention, curative or healing, to rehabilitation or recovery.

Also read: A Series of Suicide Cases in Semarang, the Environment Needs to Be More Sensitive

"The economic burden due to mental health disorders can reach trillions of dollars globally. Therefore, mental health is very important for a country," said Mega.

Mega suggests that individuals with mental disorders or mental illnesses be taken to mental health services, both at health centers and hospitals. With proper care and assistance, the potential risks that may arise, such as in the case of mutilation in Ciamis, can be prevented.