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Mental Healthcare Access and the Treatment Gap in Indonesia

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Fikru Rizal

    (Health Economics Group, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University)

  • David W. Johnston

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

  • Nicole Black

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

  • Rohan Sweeney

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

Abstract

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a high proportion of people with mental health needs do not receive treatment, contributing to a significant “treatment gap”. Despite this, there is limited robust evidence on the socioeconomic factors that shape mental healthcare use in these settings. Using data from over 400,000 adults in Indonesia, this study examines how wealth, education, and health insurance coverage influence the likelihood of accessing mental healthcare among those with probable depression. Indonesia is an important context for this analysis because undertreatment and stigma are particularly severe. We find that only 9.3% of those identified as having probable depression receive treatment. Wealth and health insurance are positively associated with the probability of mental healthcare utilisation, while education is not. The wealth gradient diminishes at the highest income levels, and we show this is possibly due to increased stigma. These findings underscore the importance of reducing financial barriers, such as through public health insurance expansion, and reducing stigma to address the mental health treatment gap in LMICs.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Fikru Rizal & David W. Johnston & Nicole Black & Rohan Sweeney, 2024. "Mental Healthcare Access and the Treatment Gap in Indonesia," Papers 2024-16, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2024-16
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Johar, Meliyanni & Soewondo, Prastuti & Pujisubekti, Retno & Satrio, Harsa Kunthara & Adji, Ardi, 2018. "Inequality in access to health care, health insurance and the role of supply factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 134-145.
    2. Bharadwaj, Prashant & Pai, Mallesh M. & Suziedelyte, Agne, 2017. "Mental health stigma," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 57-60.
    3. Sparrow, Robert & Suryahadi, Asep & Widyanti, Wenefrida, 2013. "Social health insurance for the poor: Targeting and impact of Indonesia's Askeskin programme," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 264-271.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    mental health; treatment gap; depression; mental healthcare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

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