West Java Gov't Boosts Clinical Psychologist Skills for Better Mental Health Care

The Provincial Government of West Java is actively promoting the strengthening of competencies for clinical psychologists working in community health centers (puskesmas) and hospitals. This strategic push is designed to elevate the standard of mental health services provided to the populace across the province.

Samantha Dewi Erwan Setiawan, Chair of the West Java Provincial PKK (Family Welfare Movement) Team, highlighted the importance of this initiative during the opening of a workshop focused on enhancing clinical psychologist competencies. The workshop, held in Bandung, brought together clinical psychologists from various districts and cities in West Java, aiming to bolster their professional practices and their roles as field clinical supervisors.

West Java Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman underscored the necessity for these enhanced competencies to be coupled with an expanded reach. He stated that clinical psychologists should not passively wait for individuals to seek help but should actively engage with communities. "Clinical psychologists must come to the community, go around, that's why the competency of clinical psychologists is very relevant, not to find a comfort zone," he remarked.

Suryatman pointed out the persistent social challenges in West Java, including a poverty rate of 6.78 percent and an unemployment rate of 6.64 percent, affecting numerous villages and urban communities. He expressed a hope that clinical psychologists could be present in all 5,312 villages within the province, thereby bringing mental health support closer to those in need.

Indria Laksmi Gamayanti, Chair of the Indonesian Clinical Psychology Collegium, expressed her hope that West Java would pioneer the enhancement of clinical psychology services at the community health center level through continuous training programs. She commended the provincial government's efforts in facilitating these training sessions, viewing it as a crucial step in developing competent mental health professionals dedicated to serving the people of West Java.