From 2006 to 2021, CBM Australia played a pivotal role in transforming mental health care in Aceh, Indonesia, following the 2004 Tsunami. In collaboration with Provincial and selected District Health Offices, District hospitals, and Community Health Centres, CBM implemented a rights-based approach to mental health that integrated both medical and social support. Known as the “Aceh model,” this approach moved away from purely medical and institutional care, promoting sustainable, holistic care involving families and communities, reducing stigma, and improving access to mental health services.
As part of a broader CBM Global Sustainability Enquiry, which assesses the long-term impact of our international projects after CBM’s involvement ends, this document explores the factors that have either promoted or hindered the sustainability of the project’s achievements. While challenges such as medical staffing shortages and limited local funding persist, the lasting impact is evident in reduced stigma, greater awareness of a social-medical approach, and continued community engagement in mental health care.