Political aspect
Political aspects relate to the running of the government and Authority and Power in how it is run in Indonesia and how those things affect the problem with the treatment of those with Schizophrenia.
Evidence indicates that politics of Indonesia affects the treatment of those with Schizophrenia in the following major ways:
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Decentralized nature of Indonesian Government
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Lack of government Action
POLITICAL BACKGROUND OF INDONESIA
The government in Indonesia is different because of the variety of languages. Communication between all the people and islands is a conflict in Indonesia. The government is run by a president. In electing the president, each candidate brings forth a five year plan and is then elected from all classes. A portion of people from the business men, student, farmers, and soldiers vote on the new leader. (Cunningham, 2017)
The Indonesian government inherited the notion of “a state based upon law” but actually taking action has been a huge problem, because ideology of the people tends to triumph over laws. Thus leading to the poor treatment of the mentally ill because of personal religious beliefs instead of medical interventions. (Cunningham, 2017)
DECENTRALIZED NATURE OF GOVERNMENT
LACK OF GOVERNMENT ACTION
The government of Indonesia is not focusing much of their time on mental health in general. In Indonesia 1.5% of the countries budget goes to health and less than that goes to mental health (Jones, 2016). There are 800 psychiatrists and 48 mental hospitals in Indonesia. But half of those hospitals are in 4 of the more than 30 provinces. ( Jones, 2016). This makes it very difficult for the government to help those suffering from schizophrenia or the inhumane treatment they may be receiving.
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Of the mental hospitals that are available to the people of Indonesia many are treating the patients just as bad as they would be at home. There are reports of sexual violence, involuntary treatment (electro-shock therapy, forced restraint, and forced contraception), overcrowded facilities, and lack of adequate hygiene levels. (Jenkins)
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In addition a trend going on right now in the Indonesian government is trying to separate the power from the elite and make it more spread out. They recently out in act a law that gave 470 districts and cities the power to elect their own leaders. (Decentralizes Power in Indonesia) This will help each community be able to stop shakling and poor treatment of people suffering from schizophrenia.
SOURCES
Overall the governmental power is tricky because the place itself is very spread out. The governmental power is spread out among 30 provinces and 2 special districts. There are even rural places where it’s hard to access people thus they don’t have much contribution to the government. (Sawe) The three branches of government are the executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch. These branches control things like domestic policies, religious affairs, court systems, and state policies. (Sawe)
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In Indonesia there is a strong connection between economic and political power. The governmental power is focused in the narrow elite of Indonesia. (Post) With this trend it gives the elite a large amount of power because the difference between the elite and lower class is so intense. The rural populations don’t have much say at all and this is where most of the chaining of people is happening. It’s hard for the government to reach out to those communities to get them the help they need to stop shakling and raise awareness of humane treatment of schizophrenia.
Empowerment of Women and Girls. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2017, from http://interactions.eldis.org/unpaid-care-work/country-profiles/indonesia/social-economic-and-political-context-indonesia
Decentralized Power in Indonesia. (2013, July 6). Retrieved October 23, 2017, from http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/decentralized-power-in-indonesia/
Indonesia. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://www.hrw.org/asia/indonesia
Jenkins, N. (2016, March 21). Thousands of Mentally Ill Indonesians Live in Chains: Report. Retrieved October 16, 2017, from http://time.com/4265623/indonesia-mental-illness-chains-pasung-hrw/
Jones, S. (2016, March 20). 'Living in hell': mentally ill people in Indonesia chained and confined. Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/mar/21/living-in-hell-indonesia-mentally-ill-people-chained-confined-human-rights-watch-report
Kurlantzick, J. (2012, September 05). Indonesia: The Downside of Decentralization. Retrieved October 23, 2017, from https://thediplomat.com/2012/09/indonesia-the-downside-of-decentralization/
Lomas , C. (2016, March 23). Indonesias mentally ill abused and stigmatized | Asia | DW | 23.03.2016. Retrieved October 09, 2017, from http://www.dw.com/en/indonesias-mentally-ill-abused-and-stigmatized/a-19135569
Post, T. J. (2016, January 5). The roots of Indonesian inequality. Retrieved October 23, 2017, from http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/05/the-roots-indonesian-inequality.html
Sawe, B. E. (2016, October 13). What Type Of Government Does Indonesia Have? Retrieved October 16, 2017, from http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-type-of-government-does-indonesia-have.html
Widianto, S. (2016, April 14). Pasung Is the Indonesian Practice of Shackling and Imprisoning the Mentally Ill. Retrieved October 09, 2017, from https://www.vice.com/en_au/article/nnknx8/pasung-indonesian-shackling-imprisoning-suffering-mental-illness-schizophrenia
