Experiencing Depression Symptoms, 3.3% of Specialist Doctor Candidates Want to Self-Harm or Commit Suicide

The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) screening revealed that 399 prospective specialists or participants in Indonesia's Specialist Doctor Education Program (PPDS) showed signs of depression, including thoughts of self-harm and suicide by any means.

This figure represents 3.3% of the total PPDS screened as of March 2024, according to a report received by *Databoks* on Tuesday (April 16, 2024). These thoughts occurred within the two weeks prior to the survey.

Based on the frequency of these dangerous thoughts, 322 individuals (2.7%) reported having such thoughts within a few days.

Furthermore, 52 individuals (0.4%) reported having these thoughts more than half the time, and 25 PPDS participants (0.2%) reported having these thoughts almost every day.

Meanwhile, 11,722 individuals (96.7%) of the PPDS participants reported no desire to harm themselves or end their lives.

(See also: [Link to article about 287 suicide cases in early 2024, most in Central Java])

Previously, Kemenkes also examined 2,716 prospective specialist doctors who experienced symptoms of depression. This figure is equivalent to 22.4% of the total PPDS participants surveyed as of March 2024.

The breakdown of depression symptoms among prospective doctors is as follows: at least 5,049 (41.7%) experienced minimal symptoms; 1,977 (16.3%) experienced mild symptoms; 486 (4%) experienced moderate symptoms; 178 (1.5%) experienced moderate-severe symptoms; and 75 (0.6%) experienced severe symptoms. Meanwhile, 4,356 individuals (35.9%) reported no symptoms of depression.

This screening was conducted across 28 vertical education hospitals (RSV) with a total sample of 12,121 PPDS participants on March 21, 22, and 24, 2024.

The data was collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Note: This article is not intended to encourage suicidal thoughts. Suicide prevention can be achieved by contacting the hotline 500-454 or 119 extension 8 to be connected to Sejiwa services. Information on suicide prevention can also be found on the Into the Light website via this link: [Link to Into the Light website].

(See also: [Link to article about 2,716 prospective specialist doctors experiencing depression symptoms])