Jakarta. As many as 2,365 mentally ill Indonesians are still chained and confined as of the third quarter of 2026, according to the Health Ministry.

Some of these individuals suffer from acute psychosis and schizophrenia. Indonesia has imposed a ban on shackling – locally known as “pasung” – since 1977, but the practice is still common in the country. Health Ministry director Imran Pambudi said that the harrowing statistics revealed that social stigma on depression had caused shackling to remain prevalent.

“The government aims to make sure that every individual receives appropriate support and is empowered through their own unique qualities. To this end, we hope to strengthen our primary healthcare services and public education on this matter,” Imran was quoted as saying by the state news agency Antara on Monday.

Imran underlined that delayed case detection and parental denial also pose obstacles in addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals.

There are times when parents engage in “doctor shopping” or visit multiple physicians in hopes of a medical opinion that their child is not neurodivergent. This practice delays detection. By the time the parents realize the truth, the child’s greatest potential “may no longer be recoverable”, according to Imran.

A 2023 survey showed that depression prevalence among Indonesians aged 15 and older stands at 1.4%. This was equivalent to up to 3 million people.

Maria Endang Sumiwi, the director-general for primary healthcare, revealed that only “12.7% of those 3 million depressed individuals had received treatment.”

Last October, 12 regencies and cities made a pledge to be free of shackling. They included Central Jakarta, South Tangerang, Belitung, and Banjarnegara.

Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono said at the time that “shackling and mental health disorders are not merely medical issues but also social, economic, and humanitarian concerns. Therefore, cross-sector collaboration is required to address them”.

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