MTCMedia – Malang. Exploring the past of mental health care can be both enlightening and unsettling, especially in the Museum of Mental Health, located within Dr. Radjiman Wediodiningrat Psychiatric Hospital on Jalan Ahmad Yani No. 1, Sumberporong, Lawang, Malang, East Java. Have you ever wondered how mental health issues were managed in the past? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health affects a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how they think, feel, and act. Proper management is crucial as untreated mental health issues can lead to severe complications in physical, emotional, and behavioral health.
Different Perspectives on the Paranormal
Our team interviewed various individuals about the museum, receiving varied responses. Aji Wahyugianto, the museum’s curator, dismissed any paranormal rumors, calling them mere myths. Despite his reassurance, his body language hinted at a reluctance to discuss horror-related subjects. In contrast, a former museum manager, who preferred anonymity, suggested unusual occurrences, such as old items seemingly moving by themselves at night.
Yoyon Arianto, a museum cleaner, also shared his experience, explaining the unique energy felt in certain rooms, especially those housing human skeletons, fetuses, and historical restraints. According to Yoyon, cleaning staff rotate monthly, although he is unsure why. He also clarified that while he sensed an unusual aura, he had never encountered anything overtly paranormal. However, Jupri, a long-time custodian nearby, claimed to have seen shadowy figures, and heard unexplained sounds, especially on Thursday nights.
Historical Significance and Collections
The Museum of Mental Health is deeply connected to the history of the Dr. Radjiman
Wediodiningrat Psychiatric Hospital, Indonesia’s first mental health museum and
the only one managed by the Ministry of Health. Inaugurated in 2009 to
commemorate the hospital’s 107th anniversary, the museum displays artifacts
that trace the hospital’s long-standing role in mental health care, dating back
to the colonial era. Originally called *Krankzinigen Gesticht te Lawang*, the
hospital was officially founded in 1902 after an 18-year construction period
and has treated countless patients, including one European patient who stayed
from 1941 until his passing in 2002.
A Chilling Collection of Artifacts
The museum houses an extensive array of colonial-era artifacts, including early therapeutic devices such as hydrotherapy tubs used to calm agitated patients, and low-voltage electroshock devices for treating severe depression. Visitors will also find relics like brain slicers used for studying mental disorders, skeletal remains, and remnants of the confinement system, or “pasung,” historically used to restrain patients.
Among the museum’s eerie highlights are jars containing preserved fetuses, three of which have been damaged over time. In addition, an impressive old bell that once marked meal times, antique microscopes, samurai swords, and even a traditional loom and piano used in therapeutic rehabilitation can be seen.
The museum also features artwork by former patients, a collection of Health Minister photographs dating back to President Sukarno’s era, and even a 1950s-era film projector used for patient rehabilitation and staff entertainment. Another unique display is the preserved office of the hospital’s former director, complete with an antique teak desk, typewriter, telephone, and a calling bell for staff.
Visitor Information
The museum is a 45-minute drive from Malang city center and is located next to the Dharma Wanita Kindergarten, making it easy to spot. Open from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the museum offers visitors an educational glimpse into mental health care’s past. Admission is 5,000 Indonesian Rupiah (around $0.33), and visitors are asked to sign a guest book upon entry. Despite its reputation for an eerie atmosphere, the museum remains popular, with a steady stream of visitors, including 250 students from the Islamic University of Indonesia earlier this month.
