Dr. Lely was born in Semarang, Central Java in 1965. When
she was 10 years old, the family moved to Surabaya because
the father changed jobs. Both her parents live in Surabaya
to this day. After graduating from St. Louis Catholic School,
one of the most reputable high schools in Surabaya at the
time, she began her studies at the Faculty of Medicine in
Udayana University in Denpasar in 1983, graduating in early
1990.
What is your professional background?
Like all newly graduated doctors, I was recruited by the government
health department to fulfill my duty to society in the Wajib
Kerja Sarjana (WKS) program. The only opening at the time
was in Nusatenggara Timur in the far eastern islands of Indonesia.
This was the last place I chose after Bali and East Java.
Although I knew it would difficult, I decided to move to NTT
with my husband and two-month-old baby.
What jobs did you do in NTT?
I worked at the Dr. TC. Hillers Hospital, a regency hospital
in Maumere on the northern coast of Flores. This town began
to be popular after the great earthquake and tsunami destroyed
the place on December 12th, 1992. I worked as a doctor in
Flores for 3 years. It was a very hard work – three
of us doctors responsible for more than 100 beds - as we were
obliged to work in all medical fields. We took care of patients
of all ages and in all conditions, including emergency surgery
and anesthetizing which were supposed to be only carried out
by surgeons, obstetricians and anesthetists.
How and when did you first become interested in the mental
health profession?
In 1994, I started to work in Sanglah Hospital in the radiotherapy
division, a part of radiology. I was dealing with many
patients who suffered from cancer and they needed to take
radiotherapy. I worked there for about four years. Some of
my patients didn’t know exactly what they were suffering
from and breaking the bad news to them was one of my routine
duties. Actively working as a counselor and therapist in this
job, it was here where I decided to study psychiatry.
Where did you first take up the practice of psychiatry?
In the middle of 1998, I decided to study at the psychiatry
faculty in Universitas Airlangga on Bali. I finished in four
years with a degree as Dokter Spesialis Kedokteran Jiwa (SpKJ)
or psychiatrist.
Did you initially face any difficulties or misconceptions?
At first, I felt a little discouraged because of society’s
perceptions about psychiatry. People actually felt that their
mental health problems could be cured by praying or by taking
certain medicines, and that they did not need to see a doctor.
To see a psychiatrist is taboo for most Indonesians. Most
of them also thought that mental illness is caused by genetic
factors.
What do you specially like about your work?
What gives me great comfort is when people consult privately
with me on their mental health problems. I get referrals from
other doctors, from parents whose kids and teenagers have
problems at school or at home and also from couples who ask
for marriage consultations.
Besides your private practice, where else do you work?
Psychotherapy (individually, in groups or with families) are
part of my routine duties every day. Five psychiatrists, including
myself, work in Sanglah Hospital, a few others work in other
general hospitals on Bali and in the hospital for the insane
(rumah sakit jiwa) or RSJ—in Bangli. I also work part
time for some organizations for free. For example, I volunteer
in woman and child protection services and in forensic organizations
which usually hold many training seminars which are very helpful
in cases of wife and child abuse. I also give expert testimony
in legal cases. If I can afford it and have the opportunity,
I would like to study forensic psychiatry in Australia and
other countries which offer grants.
Do you do any concerns about your work in psychiatry?
Unfortunately, not all of my colleagues respect psychotherapy
as a medical therapy. We also aren’t remunerated properly
for this important work as there is a lot of negativity associated
with psychotherapy among the general public.
Are the mental health problems of the Balinese different from
other Indonesian ethnic groups?
Most of the mental disorders you find in Bali are similar
to those found in other places in the country. In many general
hospitals in Indonesia you find lots of neurosis (anxious
disorder, phobia, stress pasca-trauma etc), depression and
organic mental disorders (Gangguan Mental Organik). Most people
in Bali associate a mental disorder with a spiritual sickness
or weakness (niskala). A family will often take the patient
to see a traditional healer or religious advisor. These healers
or dukung often prohibit the patient from taking medicines
given by doctors.
Are the Balinese specifically and Indonesians generally subject
to many of the same mental health disorders as people are
in Western countries?
Compared with other countries, there are many differences
in mental disorders. We do not have many cases of eating disorders,
but we do have many patients who suffer from depression. In
recent years, Sanglah Hospital has started to treat many cases
of schizophrenia and acute psychosis. Patients who suffer
from sexual dysfunction see doctors, not psychiatrists. We
also deal with mental disorders in children, families and
old people. We work together with the Unit Kesehatan Anak
(Children Health Unit), geriatrics, medical rehabilitation
for autism, ADHD, conduct disorder, dementia, psychological
problems resulting from drug use. Heroin addicts join the
Program Rumatan Metadon.
What is the most serious mental health problem seen on Bali
today?
Because of anger, stress, personal or family problems there
have been a spate of suicides lately. This has become a serious
issue now and we are doing more research to study the basic
causes of suicides.
What would you do to change for the better the mental health
system on Bali?
I dream about changing society’s perceptions of the
importance of mental health so that there will be positive
changes in family culture and attitudes. For example, of how
important it is for families to emphasis good conduct, to
treat children with love and respect, an healthier acknowledgment
of such mental disorders as acute anxiety, depression,
and psychosis in order to bring about faster and more complete
cures.
Dr. Lely may be contacted at House of Grace, Jl. Antasura
20-XX (Jl. Nangka Utara) Denpasar, tel. (0361) 418-500.
For anyone interested in being considered for Siapa, please
contact : <pakbill2003@yahoo.com>
Copyright@2006 Al Hickey
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