BERSAHAJA (Together for a Mentally Healthy Flores)

Project Description

The BERSAHAJA Project (*Bersama untuk Flores yang Sehat Jiwa* / Together for a Mentally Healthy Flores) is a collaborative program implemented across three regencies in East Nusa Tenggara Province by a consortium of three organizations. Under this program, Yayasan PAPHA Indonesia is responsible for implementing activities in Sikka Regency.

The program aims to strengthen community-based mental health services through an approach that prioritizes human rights principles and aligns with the Law on Disabilities and the Mental Health Law. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the program promotes the establishment of an integrated and holistic mental health service system that actively engages the community in supporting the recovery of persons with psychosocial disabilities.

Activities Carried Out

• Strengthening cross-sectoral coordination in the delivery of mental health services at the regency level.
• Establishment and capacity building of the District Community Mental Health Implementation Team (TPKJM).
• Establishment and training of mental health cadres in villages and urban villages via the Decree of the Village Head or Urban Village Head.
• Assistance provided by mental health volunteers to connect individuals with psychosocial disabilities and their families with health services at Community Health Centers (Puskesmas).
• Education and support for families or caregivers regarding treatment, psychosocial support, and the recovery process for people with psychosocial disabilities.
• Implementation of mental health screenings in collaboration with health professionals, and advocacy directed at the government to support mental health services.
• Assistance with processing civil registration documents—such as the Resident Identity Card (KTP) and Family Card (Kartu Keluarga)—to enable people with psychosocial disabilities (ODDP) to access various social assistance programs.
• Policy and budgeting advocacy at the village, urban village, sub-district, and regency levels to support the sustainability of mental health programs.

Project Achievements

• The establishment of the Regency-level Community Mental Health Implementation Team (TPKJM) to coordinate the implementation of cross-sectoral mental health programs.
• The establishment of mental health cadres in villages and urban communities who possess the capacity to support mental health services within the community.
• Increased access to mental health services for people with psychosocial disabilities (ODDP) through support from community health volunteers and collaboration with Community Health Centers (Puskesmas).
• Increased knowledge and skills among families or caregivers in supporting the recovery process of people with severe mental disorders (ODDP) through routine treatment, social support, and productive activities.
• Increased access for people with psychosocial disabilities (ODDP) to civil registration documents, enabling them to obtain government services and social assistance.
• Fostering commitment among local and village governments, as well as various relevant agencies, to support policies and budgeting for mental health programs.
• Strengthening a more integrated, inclusive, and sustainable community-based mental health service system in Sikka Regency.