Bandung (ANTARA) - West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi revealed his plan to station psychologists in junior high and senior high schools across the province to address mental health problems, moral degradation, and delinquency, which he believes are interconnected.
"I have prepared 200 psychologists for this mission. This is important because school counselors are not enough to address these issues since they do not have the requisite the expertise," he remarked in Bandung, West Java, on Sunday.
He stated that he would direct all mayors and district heads across West Java to help execute this plan in a bid to curb immoral acts like bullying and sexual violence, ultimately preventing the recurrence of a recent suicide case involving a public senior high school student in Garut.
"I am concerned that such cases are also happening in other high schools. Therefore, we are planning comprehensive measures, including the placement of psychologists in schools," Mulyadi told the media.
The governor further elaborated that the expertise of psychologists is necessary to help and guide teenage students while also taking into account the complex nature of their generation.
"Since we are facing a complex issue, involving psychologists in investigative efforts is needed to fully grasp the problem and prevent future incidents," he pointed out.
He observed that teenagers in West Java face a high risk of moral decline and psychological problems, arguing that this trend partly stems from technological disruption.
According to him, rapid advancements in technology could negatively affect children’s development, both mentally and physically. He noted that today’s children and teenagers tend to spend more time with gadgets than bonding with their parents.
"Digital content can encourage youths to engage in negative behaviors, such as brawls and sexual assault," he asserted.
A 10th grader in Garut was found dead at his home on Monday (July 14). The case garnered public attention, with some people on social media suggesting that the student was a victim of bullying.
The Garut Resort Police found no signs of violence at the scene, further fueling suspicions that the student took his own life due to bullying.
