The increasing number of suicide cases involving children and adolescents in recent weeks has drawn serious concern from various parties. In the past month alone, four suspected child suicide incidents were reported in West Sumatra and West Java. These incidents have sparked deep concern and served as an alarming signal for society to pay closer attention to the mental health of younger generations, particularly Gen Alpha, or those born between 2010 and 2024.
Responding to this phenomenon, psychologist and manager at the Center for Public Mental Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada (CPMH UGM), Nurul Kusuma Hidayati, described the rise in suicide cases as an “emergency alarm” indicating the urgent need for swift and collaborative action to protect children’s mental health.
“This is a wake-up call that should alert everyone. It is time for all elements of society to view children’s mental health as a vital aspect of well-being. Children should not only thrive academically but also mentally,” she said on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
According to Hidayati, Gen Alpha possesses unique characteristics that make them more vulnerable to psychological stress than previous generations.
They have been exposed to digital technology since birth, live in an information overload, and engage intensively in online interactions.
While this environment makes them highly digitally literate, it also exposes them to emotional exhaustion (burnout).
“They are at risk of experiencing emotional fatigue at an early age, while their cognitive regulation skills are not yet fully developed. This combination may trap children in severe mental distress that could lead to extreme actions,” she explained.
The psychologist further highlighted several major challenges in preventing depression among Gen Alpha, one of which is the low level of mental health literacy in society.
Many parents and teachers, she noted, still fail to recognize early signs of psychological distress in children.
As a result, early detection does not occur, allowing problems to progress until they reach a critical point.
Another challenge lies in intergenerational communication gaps.
“The lack of empathetic dialogue between parents and children often hinders effective psychological first aid,” she said.
Another challenge, Hidayati added, is the low emotional literacy within families, which affects children’s ability to manage emotions.
In many cases, parenting roles are increasingly replaced by digital media, leaving children without opportunities to learn directly from parents how to express and regulate emotions in healthy ways.
“Uncontrolled digital exposure exacerbates the situation, as children cannot often filter information or resist comparing themselves to others on social media,” she continued.
To reduce the risk of depression and extreme behaviors in children, Hidayati stressed the need for concrete actions from both families and schools as the two main environments where children grow.
At the family level, parents should implement balanced screen-time rules for all family members, not just for the children.
They should also take an active role as ‘emotional coaches’, modeling positive and open emotional expression.
“Families must build supportive communication and improve mental health literacy to identify early signs of behavioral change in children,” she stated.
Schools, she added, play an equally crucial role in building a comprehensive mental health system.
Hidayati encouraged schools to develop a school-based mental health system that focuses on prevention and promotion, rather than merely on intervention after problems occur.
Schools should establish referral mechanisms to psychologists or counselors, train teachers as gatekeepers for detecting behavioral changes, and integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into the curriculum.
“Schools must ensure that every child feels safe, free from social pressure, and protected from bullying,” she emphasized.
In the long term, Hidayati hopes that Gen Alpha will grow up in environments that promote mental well-being.
She underscored the importance of education that nurtures not only intellectual intelligence but also emotional resilience.
“I hope that children will grow up in environments that validate emotions, teach emotional literacy, and encourage them to seek help when they are not okay. They need to live in psychologically healthy environments, at home, at school, and in digital spaces,” she said.
The phenomenon of suicide among children and adolescents, Hidayati added, should serve as a moment of collective reflection for all members of society.
Without sufficient emotional support, homes and schools can easily shift from spaces of growth to silent places that ignore children’s mental fragility.
Through its Center for Public Mental Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada remains committed to enhancing public literacy and awareness of the importance of children’s and adolescents’ mental health through research, education, and public policy advocacy.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Illustration: Freepik