About 4.6% from the total population of 230 million in Indonesia suffered from severe mental disorder. With only 48 psychiatric hospitals and 700 psychiatrists available, patients are overcrowding the already-limited mental heatlh centers.

Panti Laras are state run mental institutions where patients mostly came out from the streets and underprivileged families. During the six months in 2008-2009, there were 238 reported deaths averaging atleast one death everyday.


This reportage was made possible by Mochtar Lubis Award grant.




February 2010