How this Chevening graduate is leading mental health advocacy in Indonesia

Many look back on their childhood years with wistfulness. To be young, active and inquisitive – a time when little seemed to matter, and the future seemed filled with endless possibilities. 

But Benny Prawira Siauw was asking himself the tough questions even at a young age.

Growing up with asthma and as a minority of Chinese-Buddhist descent in Indonesia, a country that largely held different religious beliefs, Siauw was a prime target for bullying and discrimination.

This, during a time when mental health advocacy was rare, made things all the tougher on him.

“I found myself grappling with profound philosophical questions about life, happiness, suffering, and the nature of good and evil,” says Siauw. “These early experiences with illness, discrimination, and the search for meaning led me to spend considerable time studying human existence and suffering.”

It was only when Siauw started psychological treatment for the first time that he began to find the answers to his questions. 

Even as a teenager, he was able to learn more about mental health as a whole and how psychological well-being was strongly connected with physical recovery.

Unfortunately, his family was unable to continue the treatment due to financial constraints, and he continuously faced discrimination and bullying. 

Yet, rather than hardening him, these experiences instilled a spark – Siauw was driven to learn more about psychology to better understand himself and human behaviour.

It was the beginning of a long journey.

Starting a non-profit for mental health advocacy

In 2012, Siauw met a friend who had attempted suicide – something that resonated with him deeply as he had previously experienced suicidal thoughts during an abusive relationship.

He was eager to help but quickly realised a sobering fact – most of the available information was in English instead of Bahasa Indonesia, it was difficult to understand, and mental health issues were still heavily stigmatised in Indonesian society.

“What concerned me even more was the stark contrast between the lack of prevention resources and the abundance of potentially harmful media coverage about suicides, which could trigger copycat incidents,” says Siauw.

This incident led Siauw to organise a seminar on mental health in Indonesia, an initiative that received a surprising wave of support.

Inspired by its impact, he established Into the Light Indonesia (Yayasan Insan Teman Langit), a non-profit, youth-based community focusing on suicide prevention and mental health advocacy, research, and education in Indonesia. 

“It showed me that there was a real need for this kind of dialogue and support in our community. This success motivated me to expand my efforts in building awareness about suicide prevention and working to shift societal attitudes towards mental health,” he said. 

Today, Into the Light has a strong network of volunteers, all of who have connections to mental health, amplifying their voices to reach wider audiences.

At its head is Siauw, working with young people, universities, the media, and even the government to change attitudes towards suicide prevention and encourage a more positive attitude towards mental health in Indonesia.

“What makes our work particularly meaningful is that it’s built on lived experiences,” says Siauw. “Our motto, ‘Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and should be addressed systemically,’ has resonated with many young people who have joined our cause. It’s been incredibly inspiring to see how our work has helped position suicide prevention as a more recognised and addressed issue in Indonesia.”

 

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The unique challenge of mental health advocacy in Indonesia

Indonesia has a unique interplay of religious and psychological discourses. 

National psychological associations have sections dedicated to integrating religious-spiritual views with mental health, while some Islamic universities offer specialised Islamic psychology programmes that combine psychological insights with religious teachings.

This approach is not favoured by all. 

“I often hear how stigmatising religious discourses create unique challenges when psychologists and psychiatrists inadvertently tap into stigmatising religious values and teachings, mentioning concepts of sin and hellfire when people actually need professional help,” admits Siauw. 

It’s true – even today, there are outdated notions within Asia, or even globally, that create barriers to seeking help.

One example is framing non-fatal suicide attempts as attention-seeking behaviour. In Siauw’s words, one can imagine that if people encounter such stigma from professionals, it becomes even more difficult for them to seek informal peer support, particularly if their peers hold similar stigmatising religious values.

“This represents a lost opportunity, as religious communities have traditionally been places where many people seek help,” he said. “Religious teachings about compassion could be utilised to support those struggling with suicidal thoughts, rather than focusing on stigmatising aspects.”

Other than these aspects, self-reliance, and financial issues are also common barriers to seeking help.

According to Siauw, only one in three people are aware that Indonesia’s national health insurance system covers psychiatric treatment. 

Through Into the Light Indonesia, Siauw realised he needed new perspectives to expand his mental health advocacy.

The answer? Revisiting a childhood dream. 

Gaining new perspectives with the Chevening scholarship

Siauw received his Bachelor of Psychology from Bunda Mulia University before completing his Master of Science in Social Health Psychology at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia in 2019.

But he had always dreamt about studying abroad.

“As a child, I used to admire the University of Oxford logo on my notebook, dreaming of studying there someday,” he said. “But this dream was temporarily buried when I had to take a four-year gap after high school, particularly when my mother fell ill and required expensive medical care.”

However, there was still a way to fulfil that childhood dream — through the highly competitive Chevening scholarship. With only a 2 to 3% global acceptance rate, many shy away from this challenge.

“I had to deal with my insecurities as I had seen that most of my Chevening alumni friends could not secure it in their first shot,” admits Siauw.

Thankfully, his extensive work in youth suicide prevention through Into The Light Indonesia, combined with various fellowships (Ashoka, Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity, YSEALI), helped strengthen his application.

He also worked hard to seek feedback from various sources, including cold-emailing Oxford students and Chevening alumni, both from Indonesia and other countries. 

As a result, he secured his scholarship, joining Oxford in 2023 for a Master of Science in Medical Anthropology.

There, he took on studies in anthropological perspectives on mental health, a radically different approach that challenged everything he knew about the field.

Where psychology often approached mental health through clinical, top-down perspectives, anthropology emphasised individual lived experiences and cultural nuances, which was especially relevant for this work in Indonesia. 

“It taught me to consider cultural contexts and local understandings while examining how social structures and power dynamics influence mental health,” says Siauw. “Perhaps most importantly, it encouraged me to question the universal application of Western psychological concepts.”

Armed with this knowledge, he returned to Indonesia, where he is now a member of the Indonesian Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Working Group.

Aside from his work at Into the Light Indonesia, Siauw also consults for international organisations like the Wellcome Trust and WHO, bridging lived experiences with healthcare expertise to co-design policies and services and championing suicide prevention and mental health initiatives at a national level. 

“My time at Oxford has also transformed how I engage with people who have lived experience of mental health issues at the global level, ensuring their perspectives are not just heard, but truly listened to, carefully unpacked, and properly utilised in research, policy, and advocacy strategies,” he said. “This approach has proven invaluable in advancing population mental health in genuinely relevant and meaningful ways to Indonesian and global communities.”

A letter of encouragement to those who are struggling

Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experience a mental disorder, according to a recent statement by the World Health Organisation. This includes depression, anxiety, and other behavioural disorders.

Without intervention, these disorders then extend into adulthood, which threatens to impair both physical and mental health and even limits opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.

Even if one tries their best, there’s only so much that free mental health applications or creative outlets can do to curb the downward spiral of mental health. 

To those struggling, we asked Siauw to share some kind words, insight, and helpful advice.

Here’s what he has to say:

Dear students who are struggling, my heart goes out to you.

Please know that your struggles are not only valid but deeply understood, and you absolutely deserve all the support and care in the world.

I know that seeking help can feel incredibly overwhelming — facing limited services, long waitlists, financial barriers, and sometimes even encountering hurtful stigmatising attitudes from the very professionals meant to help.

Please know that none of this reflects on your worth or strength.

While some institutions heavily emphasise individual responsibility and resilience, I want you to truly understand that you don’t have to carry this heavy burden alone.

Yes, there are tools that might help — self-care practices, mindfulness, and religious/spiritual resources — but it’s equally important to be gentle with yourself and recognise when you need additional support. Your struggle isn’t a reflection of weak faith or moral failure — it’s a deeply human experience that deserves the most compassionate understanding and professional care.

Here are some gentle suggestions you might consider:

Firstly, if your university’s counselling services have long waitlists, please know there are other options.

Take time to explore national policies about psychiatric treatment coverage, primary care, and community support — you may have more rights and options than you might realise.

Secondly, when looking for mental health professionals, it’s okay to seek someone who truly aligns with your values.

If you prefer those who integrate both psychological and religious perspectives, look for those who do so with compassion and understanding. I know it can be exhausting to meet professionals who aren’t the right fit and sometimes even traumatising to meet those who cause harm through stigma.

Please don’t let these experiences define your healing journey. If you have the resources, keep searching for that professional who truly understands and supports you.

Third, if your faith is important, consider connecting with progressive religious communities or support groups that embrace compassion over judgment. Your spirituality should be a source of comfort, not additional pain.

Also, remember that sharing your academic or financial concerns with university offices isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a smart step toward getting the support you deserve. There might be resources or accommodations available to help lighten your load.

Most importantly, while we continue working toward better, more accessible support systems, please hold onto hope and don’t give up on seeking help.

Your worth and life have value far beyond academic achievements or others’ expectations. Sometimes, the most courageous thing we can do is simply acknowledge when we need help and keep reaching out until we find the right support.

Remember: the challenges you face reflect various systemic issues, not merely personal failures.

While we can’t transform these systems overnight, please know that there are people who deeply care and are committed to supporting you through these difficulties.

You are not alone in this journey, and your healing matters.