Manchester, Jun 10, 2026 — Prof. Herni Susanti, representing the research cluster, along with our CEI Mr. Avicenna Fikri attended a high-profile poster presentation and exhibition to showcase STAND Indonesia, a transformative collaborative initiative focused on addressing the growing mental health crisis in the Indonesian community. The project introduces a culturally adapted framework for Low-Intensity Psychological Interventions (LIPI) specifically designed to tackle anxiety and depression.
In Indonesia, the prevalence of emotional disorders stands at 9.8%, with depression affecting 6.2% of the population. Recognizing that over 300 million people globally suffer from anxiety, STAND Indonesia seeks to bridge the critical treatment gap in regions where access to specialist mental health professionals is limited.
A Collaborative, Multi-Step Methodology
The research is a robust multi-institutional effort funded by the NIHR and UK International Development, involving Universitas Indonesia, the University of Manchester, and several other prominent academic and medical institutions. The team employed a rigorous five-step methodology to ensure the intervention’s local relevance:
- Information Gathering: The team conducted 33 in-person interviews and 21 focus groups, supplemented by online sessions with national key informants.
- Adaptation Hypotheses: In Jul 2023, the study team formulated specific hypotheses to be tested during stakeholder workshops.
- Local Consultations & Consensus: An Aug 2023 workshop brought together 59 participants, including patients, family members, lay health workers, and spiritual healers. Utilizing RAND principles, the team achieved consensus on key adaptation questions.
- Refinement: Reflection meetings held in Sep 2023 allowed the team to finalize the co-adaptation process based on stakeholder feedback.
- Patient Stories: Starting in Dec 2023, the project integrated lived experiences by involving members of the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) to ensure the intervention is truly patient-centered.
Key Outcomes and Community Impact
The study highlights that while many adaptations occurred at a “surface level”—such as language and terminology—the core simplicity of the intervention was maintained. This ensures it can be effectively delivered by lay health workers, known locally as kader, who are trusted members of their communities.
“This cultural adaptation is vital for ensuring that mental health interventions are not only effective but also well-received and sustainable within the community,” the STAND Indonesia team concluded. By tailoring support to individual problems and local contexts, the initiative is poised to close the mental health treatment gap across Indonesia.
About STAND Indonesia
STAND Indonesia (Sustainable Care for Anxiety and Depression in Indonesia) is a UK-Indonesia research partnership dedicated to increasing access to mental health care. Through population research, workforce development, and community engagement, the project aims to build a sustainable, scalable model for psychological support.
