Upon graduating and applying to become a lecturer, Professor Subandi merged both disciplines to create a culture- and spirituality-based mental health therapy.

The professor from UGM’s Faculty of Psychology shared the long journey of his career as an academic. Since beginning his service in 1986, he has been actively involved in the tri-dharma of higher education, particularly research. 

Although he has a background in psychology, he has a deep interest in anthropology, which is supported by his passion for writing. 

After following his mentor’s advice to pursue Psychology at UGM and being accepted as a student, he continued to explore anthropology through research and international collaboration, which continues to this day.

His love for anthropology deepened when he collaborated with international anthropologists. In 1996, he became an assistant to Professor Byron Good, a Harvard University mental health anthropologist. 

“This collaboration has lasted for over 25 years, resulting in in-depth research on mental health from a cultural perspective,” he recalled on Saturday (Jan. 11).

Additionally, Professor Subandi worked with Dr. Julia Howell from Griffith University in Australia for five years. This collaboration integrated anthropology approaches into his mental health research, including developing culturally and spiritually based mental health service systems. 

“We didn’t just collect data, but we also conducted action research so that our studies had a direct, real impact on society,” he explained.

Professor Subandi’s success in combining psychology and anthropology has made him known as an academic who focuses on culture—and spirituality-based mental health. 

Professor Subandi is also an expert in psychological methodology, design and analysis, religious psychology, and health, as well as clinical and counseling psychology. 

“I always view mental health from the individual’s perspective and the societal, cultural, and spiritual contexts. Islamic psychology and cultural psychology are also part of my focus,” he said.

He innovated a referral model at mental hospitals from his international research efforts. This innovation ensures that after getting treatments in hospitals, patients with mental disorders receive follow-up therapy at community health centers (puskesmas).

The second innovation he developed was the “Gelimas Jiwa” program at Kasihan II Bantul Health Center. This program involves training mental health cadres in the community to assist patients. 

In fact, this program received recognition from the Ministry of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (Kemenpan-RB). His third innovation was a mental health policy in Kulon Progo Regency. 

Together with the Kulon Progo Health Office, he developed a Regional Action Plan (RAD) to enhance mental health services at the regency level. 

“These innovations don’t just stop at research but are directly implemented in the community. The results must be tangible, and this will continue,” Professor Subandi stated.

He was awarded the Silver Academic Leader Award 2024 from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for the innovations he has developed over the decades. 

This award was given for his extraordinary contributions to research, innovation, and the development of mental health systems in Indonesia.

According to him, the award he received could not be separated from proper documentation, which included certificates, research contracts, and photos of activities. 

“This is an important lesson for all of us, and good documentation makes it easier to recap what we’ve done. It helps others understand our track record and prevents us from easily forgetting what we’ve accomplished,” the professor added.

Professor Subandi’s award further motivates him to remain enthusiastic about continuing his research on culture—and spirituality-based mental health therapy. 

“I truly love writing and researching. For me, awards are a bonus. I will continue my research and write books even without awards because I never aimed for that,” he said.

To date, Professor Subandi has written more than 20 books and dozens of international journal articles. He is also actively sharing his experiences with students and junior lecturers. 

“My message is to have a strong passion, focus on one field, and develop it consistently. Successful researchers have a clear focus,” he said.

This award is a personal achievement and a source of pride for UGM. It is hoped that Professor Subandi’s dedication to developing Indonesia’s mental health system will inspire academics and students to continue creating and positively impacting society.

Author: Bolivia

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel Professor Subandi: From Anthropology Enthusiast to Culture-Based Mental Health Innovator pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event, held on Friday (Jan. 3) at the Balairung of UGM’s Central Office, marked the start of 2025 with hundreds of participants from various faculties, schools, and work units. 

The route began at the Balairung courtyard, winding through the western side of the Central Office, past the library, through the Boulevard, and finally circling back via the eastern side of campus to finish at the Balairung courtyard.  

Before flagging off the participants, Head of HPU Professor Yayi Suryo Prabandari emphasized the benefits of regular, well-planned exercise. 

Based on research, she noted that consistent physical activity can help stabilize vital health markers such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid levels. Moreover, regular exercise enhances mental health and improves the brain’s ability to regulate emotions. 

“UGM provides ample facilities for exercising. Walking around the campus before starting work is an excellent way to stay healthy,” Professor Prabandari stated.  

The head, who also teaches at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), highlighted the importance of exercising for 150-300 minutes per week. She also reminded participants of the need for a balanced diet and 7-8 hours of sleep for adults. 

“And remember, if you face any issues, address them promptly. If professional help is needed, don’t hesitate to contact HPU,” she advised.  

Dr. Andreasta Meliala, MD, Head of the Integrated Health Services Bureau, explained that the “Run and Walk” event was designed to promote participants’ health and happiness, which in turn positively impacts their performance in their respective units. 

He shared data from the monthly Posbindu health monitoring program, revealing that many UGM staff have high blood sugar and uric acid levels. 

“One of our colleagues shared that after consistently running for 30 minutes daily over the past year, their blood sugar, uric acid, and cholesterol levels have all normalized. The benefits of exercise are immense, so let’s stay motivated to run and walk today,” he encouraged.  

After the flag-off, participants enthusiastically followed the designated route, with no cut-off time imposed for the event. The morning concluded with a communal breakfast and the distribution of door prizes, including “happy chicken eggs” provided by the Faculty of Animal Science.  

Author: Triya Andriyani  

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Artikel UGM Hosts Run and Walk Event to Promote Physical Activity and Health pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Therefore, recognizing the signs of toxic relationships is crucial.

“Toxic relationships have clear signs: feelings of guilt, unresolved conflicts, and a loss of independence,” said Dr. Restu Tri Handoyo, a clinical psychologist from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, during a seminar titled “Toxic No More: Building Relationships Without Scars” held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. 

According to Dr. Handoyo, healthy relationships significantly contribute to mental well-being, offering emotional support, promoting personal growth, and fostering happiness. 

“Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, support, and balance,” he emphasized.

Dr. Ratna Noviani, a lecturer and researcher in Cultural and Media Studies at UGM’s Graduate School, warned about the traps of toxic relationships often perpetuated through social media.

As she noted, the media frequently romanticizes toxic relationships, especially manipulation.

“We must recognize violence on social media, such as doxing and dominance practices. It’s essential to enhance digital literacy to avoid the traps of unhealthy relationships that often emerge in the virtual world,” she explained.

Livia Iskandar, Director of Pulih Foundation, shared alarming statistics: one in four Indonesian women has experienced sexual violence. 

Most victims do not report these incidents due to victim-blaming, perpetrators being close acquaintances, or threats from the perpetrators.

In response to this issue, Iskandar urged all parties to empower women who have experienced violence by providing psychological, medical, and legal support.

The seminar, organized by the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Task Force (Satgas PPKS) of Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with the Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) Yogyakarta and UGM’s Integrated Health Services Bureau (BPKT), aimed to raise awareness and offer support to victims of violence. 

Additionally, it encouraged the community to foster empathy, empowerment, and a violence-free society by reminding everyone that no one walks alone.

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Artikel UGM Seminar Explains Signs of Toxic Relationships pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

“How a person responds to stressful events has a significant impact on their well-being,” said Anisa Yuliandri, a speaker at the “Mindfulness as Stress Management Strategy” workshop at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business on Thursday (Nov. 21).

As a psychologist at the Career and Student Development Center (CSDU), UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), Yuliandri explained that stress is a common issue when under pressure. She described stress as worry or mental tension arising from difficult situations. 

“Several factors can trigger stress, including environmental, social, physiological, and cognitive factors,” she explained.

Delving into strategies to mitigate the negative effects of stress through mindfulness techniques, Yuliandri used the glass analogy to illustrate how individuals can manage stress sources. 

According to her, one can choose to reduce the contents of the glass by focusing on resolving problems individually, avoiding toxic environments, or limiting exposure to stressors.

Alternatively, individuals can expand the glass by increasing their capacity, such as strengthening personal resources—sharing experiences with others, learning from past experiences, and shifting perspectives on problems.

During the session, she introduced mindfulness as moment-to-moment awareness, practiced by deliberately focusing on the present moment. It involves accepting and being aware of how the current moment unfolds, focusing solely on the present.

“When individuals are unaware of their thoughts and emotions, they tend to react impulsively to stress, making them easily overwhelmed by emotions,” she explained.

She said that through mindfulness, people can recognize moments when they can choose to respond rather than react. This approach is expected to help individuals gain better control over stress.

At the end of the session, Yuliandri invited students to practice the Mindful Cup technique. Participants were asked to write down the emotions they had experienced in the past week on a piece of paper and place it into a cup. 

They were then asked to analyze their emotions one by one and reflect on what they had done to alleviate those emotions.

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According to data from the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, 13,156 cases of SV occurred in university settings across Indonesia in 2023. 

This is alarming, as universities should provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to pursue their education. 

Today, with the expanding reach of the internet, the rapid development and dissemination of information technology, and the increasing popularity of social media, new forms of SV have emerged, such as Gender-Based Online Violence (GBOV) and Non-Consensual Intimate Images Violence (NCII).

With the rise of GBOV and non-consensual intimate content among students, UGM’s Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPKS UGM) has continued to make prevention efforts and raise awareness. 

One initiative is through a whistle-blowing service to accommodate reports from the academic community.

The Head of UGM’s Integrated Health Services Office, Dr. Andreasta Meliala, explained that the whistle-blowing service was established to accommodate reports from the academic community regarding incidents that go against UGM’s norms, policies, and values. 

“The key parameter for SV is when we know of a case but do not report it. To ensure proper reporting, we first need sufficient insight and knowledge about the terminologies related to GBOV and NCII,” said Dr. Meliala during a GBOV and NCII prevention training session on Wednesday (Nov. 20) in Multimedia Room I, UGM Central Office.

Chair of Satgas PPKS UGM, Professor Raden Ajeng Yayi Suryo Prabandari, revealed that there are 21 forms of sexual violence on campus, including verbal, physical, and non-physical actions, and those involving information and communication technology. 

Even catcalling, which can make someone uncomfortable, falls under the category of SV. Ironically, according to Professor Prabandari, catcallers often do not perceive their actions as wrong. Many see catcalling as mere joking or even friendliness. 

“However, such actions can be the first step toward more dangerous forms of SV,” she explained.

Professor Prabandari emphasized the importance of individual prevention of SV, especially since power imbalances are often the main cause. 

Firstly, do not easily trust someone you have just met or have only known for a short time. Secondly, avoid conversations that have sexual undertones whenever possible. 

“We must also be assertive, confident, and, most importantly, know several ways to incapacitate an attacker and carry self-defense tools,” Professor Prabandari stated.

Elok Santi Jesica, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), explained the term GBOV as any form of violence carried out using digital technology, particularly the internet, social media platforms, and smart devices, targeting someone based on their gender, sex, or sexual orientation. 

“In GBOV, both men and women have equal chances of becoming victims, so a safe space in social media must be created collectively, and remember, what happens online also affects offline life,” Jesica explained.

Jesica also highlighted the existence of social media platforms that apply user-generated content, allowing users to create content in the form of text, photos, videos, or reviews that are shared across multiple platforms. 

If not used wisely, users may engage in oversharing in the public virtual space, which can lead to negative consequences, such as security threats. 

“There is a digital footprint, and we no longer have control over the data we upload. Social media companies often easily use this data, which could result in unwanted outcomes, such as suddenly being linked to a loan or having your photos and videos used in other GBOV instances,” she explained.

Arif Nurcahyo, Head of UGM’s Security, Safety, Order, Emergency, and Environmental Office (K5L), explained why GBOV and NCII should be treated as serious crimes. 

In addition to power imbalances, both forms of violence cause long-term trauma, close off future opportunities, and even pose a risk of death. He reminded individuals to protect their personal data, avoid becoming perpetrators who repost, reshare, or leave negative comments, and seek legal assistance from relevant institutions if they become victims. 

“K5L focuses on rescuing victims, particularly students, who are university assets. We will provide support while coordinating with both internal and external units for resolution,” Nurcahyo explained.

A psychologist from UGM’s Center for Public Mental Health, Nurul Kusuma Hidayati, shared the impact experienced by GBOV victims. Socially, victims tend to limit or even cut off communication both online and offline, which severely restricts their mobility. 

Academically, victims’ performance declines, jeopardizing their studies.

“Psychologically, some even engage in self-harm or harbor suicidal thoughts. While social media offers numerous benefits and can boost work productivity, once again, it is important to be wise and cautious in using it,” she concluded.

Author: Triya Andriyani

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Artikel How Thoughtful Posting Can Help Prevent Gender-Based Online Violence pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

There are 21 forms of sexual violence identified on campus, including verbal, physical, and non-physical acts and discriminatory or harassing remarks about physical appearance, body conditions, and more. 

Therefore, a special task force is needed to provide training and raise awareness about preventing online gender-based violence and the spread of non-consensual intimate content within the campus community. 

This was highlighted during the Online Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Non-Consensual Intimate Content Dissemination Training, held in Multimedia Room 1 at the UGM Central Office on Monday (Nov. 18).

The training was organized by UGM’s Task Force for Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling (Satgas PPKS) in collaboration with the Integrated Health Service Bureau (BPKT) and the Directorate of Student Affairs (Ditmawa).

The featured speakers included Professor Raden Ajeng Yayi Suryo Prabandari, Head of Satgas PPKS UGM; Dr. Ratna Noviani, lecturer and researcher of Cultural and Media Studies at UGM’s Graduate School; and Arif Nurcahyo, Head of UGM’s Security, Safety, Order, Emergency, and Environment (K5L).

Professor Prabandari stated that UGM has issued Rector Regulation Number 1 of 2023 on the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in the UGM Community. 

Through this regulation, Professor Prabandari hopes that victims will not hesitate to report or address any cases occurring within the campus environment through the task forces at the university or faculty levels. 

“This is crucial so that sexual violence cases at UGM can receive immediate attention and prevention, followed by case reviews by the Examination Committee,” she explained.

She mentioned that some forms of sexual violence include any actions that degrade, insult, harass, cause discomfort, and/or attack the body and/or gender. 

Actions that result in or can result in psychological and/or physical suffering, including those that affect reproductive health and lost opportunities to conduct education, research, and community service safely and optimally, are included.

Moreover, she added, forms of sexual violence also encompass actions carried out verbally, non-physically, physically, and/or through information and communication technology, such as Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) and the dissemination of Non-Consensual Intimate Content (NCII). 

“There are 21 forms of sexual violence on campus, including verbal, physical, non-physical, and information and communication technology actions, such as remarks that discriminate against or harass physical appearance, body conditions, and so on,” she said.

Dr. Noviani discussed OGBV cases, noting that the ease of digital technology, especially the internet and various digital platforms, makes anyone a potential perpetrator or victim. 

“OGBV practices today are intertwined with digital media technology, which is why many parties, including the government, are encouraging more responsible use of digital technology,” she explained.

Nurcahyo pointed out that preventing and addressing sexual violence requires the involvement of all components, especially in dealing with emergencies on campus. 

“Technical information distribution, awareness-raising, and basic joint training should be conducted regularly at various units to foster awareness of security and safety as a shared responsibility,” he explained.

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Artikel Online Gender-Based Violence Awareness: Anyone Can Be Perpetrator or Victim pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Senja Gurau was made even more vibrant by the harmonious sounds of the Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra’s (GMCO) String Quintet. 

The performance also featured the Denta Orchestra, Kombantrin (English Department Band), and an Alumni Band.

The event grew livelier with interactive banter led by hosts Anang Batas, Dibyo Primus, Bambang Gundul, and Fira Sasmita.

One of the attendees, Marshanda, shared how much she enjoyed the musical event. 

“After a stressful day at the hospital during my clinical rounds, it’s great to have this fun singing and eating event here at the faculty. It’s such a fun event,” said this dental medicine student.

For Marshanda, this event feels like a “welcome weekend” for students.

“It’s a great way to de-stress before the weekend. Plus, it’s really fun to get free food and hang out with friends and professors here,” she said. 

She added that such events are essential for bringing together students from different batches and for strengthening bonds between students and faculty.

Echoing Marshanda’s sentiments, Alfia, who had attended lectures and lab sessions before her clinical rounds, felt refreshed by the musical entertainment. 

“It’s usually quiet around campus at this time, so having this music performance is really enjoyable. It’s rare to have events like this where you can sit and chat with friends until late at night,” Alfia said.

Dr. Margareta Rinastiti, Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources at FKG UGM, expressed her appreciation for Senja Gurau. 

“We are delighted to have events like this because, amid the students’ busy schedules, it provides a refreshing break,” Dr. Rinastiti said, adding that she had also performed during the event.

She noted that entertainment like this could help encourage students to maintain their mental health. 

“I think this event can also be an opportunity for cross-faculty interaction. Even though several faculties are represented here, there is still room for improvement in connecting across faculties. Alumni attendance can also inspire current students,” she explained.

Dr. Cendrawasih Andusyana Framasyanti, a faculty member at FKG UGM who also performed during the event, shared that Senja Gurau also brings a fresh breeze to UGM staff. 

“I personally love music, so I really appreciate the initiative by the Directorate of Education and Teaching to organize such an event,” she said.

As an orthodontist, Dr. Framasyanti often hears about students facing psychological challenges. 

She hopes that events like this can help students get to know their peers from other faculties and serve as a form of “healing” for students and staff.

Dr. Framasyanti also suggested incorporating tips and strategies into future Senja Gurau events. 

She recommended inviting psychology experts to discuss topics related to mental health, such as how to cope with difficult situations or study tips for students. 

“For example, it features tips on graduating on time, which could involve collaboration with alumni who have successfully graduated on time and with good grades,” she concluded.

Reporter: B. Diah Listianingsih  

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However, student leaders are encouraged to make these organizations more inclusive, achievement-oriented, sustainable in all activities, and provide tangible contributions to society.

This point was raised during the 2024 Student Organization Transformation Training organized by the Directorate of Student Affairs at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Ditmawa UGM), which took place on Saturday, (Oct. 26) at the 4th-floor Auditorium of the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM).

The workshop featured five expert speakers in their respective fields: Dr. Hargo Utomo, Director of Business Development and Incubation at UGM; Gusti Grehenson, UGM News Coverage Coordinator; and Dr. Restu Tri Handoyo, Head of UGM’s Mental Health Task Force.

The other speakers were Walyono, the Head of the Subdirectorate of Facility and Infrastructure Maintenance, and Bambang Paningron, the Head of Community and Experience at the UGM Innovation and Creativity Center (GIK UGM).

Dr. Hempri Suyatna, Secretary of Ditmawa UGM, expressed the hope that in the future, ormawa will be able to develop a growth mindset and sustainability to enhance student self-development, achieve excellence, boost the university’s reputation, and prepare for future challenges. 

“We want ormawa to advance and develop in line with the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that have been set,” he said.

In his presentation, Dr. Hargo Utomo discussed the concept of startups. He also covered sustainability issues, opportunities for collaboration by leveraging individual skills and abilities, working with others, and social enterprises that benefit not only oneself but also many others through continuous innovation using technology. 

He likened students to magnets in society, able to attract and become a source of energy or benefit to those around them. 

“So, being an entrepreneur is not always about running a company or business, but about being a person who drives the community toward improvement,” he explained.

Gusti Grehenson delivered the next presentation, focusing on tips for writing good news stories. In addition to discussing the technical aspects of news writing, he revealed that publication is crucial because one of the performance indicators for student activity units is the number of publications related to sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

He also mentioned that news published on UGM’s official website often serves as a reference for national media, impacting UGM’s public image.

Technically, he explained that good news must be new and unique, complete with the 5W+1H structure, including good photo composition, a compelling title, an interesting angle, and an engaging lead to attract readers’ attention.

To wrap up his session, Grehenson encouraged ormawa leaders to write frequently, especially for press releases about activities held by units and student communities. 

The more they write, the better their writing skills will become. “Like a knife in the hands of a chef, the more you write, the sharper your skills will become,” he concluded.

In the next session, Dr. Restu Tri Handoyo presented “Understanding Mental Health, Sexual Violence, and Mental Health in the Campus Environment.” 

He explained that mental health should be viewed on a continuum, meaning it is not just black and white or 0 and 1, but a complex issue in between. 

He added that the campus environment should be a place for learning and a protective space for reducing risk and fostering growth for everyone involved. 

“Learning should be enjoyable because it’s a growth process,” he explained.

He further emphasized that UGM hopes students will help maintain their peers’ mental health because relying solely on lecturers and staff would be limited. 

They can create systems and services, but the ones monitoring and being around are the students themselves. He also encouraged students to be more aware of sexual violence occurring around them and explained UGM’s role and actions in addressing this issue.

In the second session, Walyono discussed “Waste Management at Universitas Gadjah Mada.” He explained how UGM manages waste, particularly before and after the closure of the Piyungan landfill. 

He also discussed UGM’s waste management policies, which are based on a circular from the rector, and efforts to create a greener UGM campus environment.

He also touched on the risks associated with the use of AI, which is becoming increasingly common on campus, and how it affects the environment. 

“Just one word processed by AI uses 10 times more energy than a single Google search,” he explained.

Finally, Bambang Paningron concluded the workshop with a session on “Event Management.” He explained the various types of events, what a curator is, and their role in event management, preparing for events, including SOPs and related matters, and implementing pre-prepared plans. 

In his explanation, he emphasized the importance of preparation and being open to all possibilities that may arise on the ground. 

Additionally, he highlighted two critical factors in any event: the content and its presentation—what will be delivered and how it will be presented.

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As a leading higher education institution in Indonesia, UGM is responsible for ensuring the well-being of its academic community, particularly mental health. 

Acknowledging this urgency, UGM took proactive measures by establishing the Mental Health Service Unit (ULKM) on Jul. 1, 2024, to provide mental health support and services to the academic community, especially students. 

Mental health screenings conducted by ULKM have revealed an urgent need to raise awareness of mental health and provide appropriate support and interventions.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia revealed that nearly 30-40% of UGM students struggle with mental health issues at various levels, ranging from mild challenges to contemplating suicide. 

“We must proactively implement preventive and intervention efforts,” said Professor Emilia at the Mental Health Workshop Series 1, which involved deans in formulating policies to support the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on mental health in each faculty. 

The event occurred on Friday (Oct. 25) at the UGM Central Office. Professor Emilia urged faculty leaders, directorates, and departments to continue preventive efforts to make the campus a pleasant place to pursue education.

On this occasion, Professor Emilia also emphasized the Directorate of Student Affairs’s importance in encouraging students involved in Student Activity Units (UKM) to become buddy counselors due to their close connections with fellow students. 

“This even becomes a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for UKM because it’s pointless if, for example, they practice sports to stay healthy, but their friends are stressed—this creates a contradiction,” Professor Emilia remarked.

The rector hopes that the Integrated Health Services Bureau can collaborate with the said directorate to organize training for UKM students to become buddies.

The Dean of the UGM Faculty of Psychology, Dr. Rahmat Hidayat, reported that his research screened the mental health of 41,812 UGM students from all levels, including applied bachelor, undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs. This represents 62% of the total student population at UGM. 

Dr. Hidayat highlighted one of the biggest challenges in addressing students’ mental health is the variation in faculty and school capacities to provide mental health services and care. 

“Not all faculties have mental health teams or psychologists,” he said.

According to Dr. Hidayat, PICs from each faculty and school act as data controllers and case managers for mental health issues, working with faculty psychologists or health units.

Arif Nurcahyo, Head of the Safety, Occupational Health, Emergency, and Environment Office (K5L), serves as a campus mental health first aid responder. He believes that mental health is linked to traffic accidents, medical health issues, and work accidents occurring at UGM.

Based on data from his team’s research from January to September 2024, Nurcahyo noted that some cases were not recorded in screenings but emerged in the field. 

“We found that the sources of the issues included toxic relationships with family, friends, or partners, unfriendly lecturers, and other non-technical problems,” he explained.

One challenge faced by K5L is that staff cannot monitor each individual, so additional assistance is needed, especially since many students conceal their mental health history.

Professor Yayi Suryo Prabandari, Chair of the UGM Health Promoting University (HPU UGM), stated that HPU UGM provides various health services accessible to students, ranging from counseling services to mental health improvement programs to create a well-being campus. 

“We have even conducted first-aider training for lecturers and staff, as well as anti-toxic relationship training,” said Professor Prabandari.

She hopes that cross-unit collaboration can form an integrated reporting system through leveling or clustering, allowing mental health care to become a systematic network.

Meanwhile, Dwi Umi Siswati, Coordinator of the Faculty of Biology Counselor Lecturers, shared best practices from the Faculty of Biology in addressing mental health. 

The faculty chose to involve students as buddy counselors because students tend to be more open with their peers. 

“We have trained these buddies to serve as empathetic listeners, capable of providing social support and helping their peers cope with emotional difficulties,” she concluded.

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Artikel Supporting Students’ Mental Health through Buddy Counselors pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

A 2016 publication from the Ministry of Health’s Research and Development Agency recorded that every day, five people commit suicide. Of these, 47.7% are teenagers and individuals of productive age, ranging from 10 to 39 years old.

In response to suicide cases, UGM has implemented mental health mitigation and screening for students. 

However, UGM has not stopped there; it has also initiated open-air art activities through a ‘Senja Gurau’ program. 

“This program is designed to address mental health issues among students, faculty, and staff by providing an expressive, collaborative, and interactive platform in the form of musical entertainment and discussions,” explained Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching, Professor Dr. Wening Udasmoro on Wednesday (Oct. 23).

The artist behind Senja Gurau, Anang Batas, explained that Senja Gurau features performances such as music bands and interactive discussions. 

Batas said the aim of this music event is to facilitate members of the academic community with artistic talents and skills expressing themselves and performing on the Senja Gurau stage, which is held regularly every weekend. 

“Each session is designed to facilitate collaboration and cross-generational interaction, providing space for participants to share life concerns and find emotional balance,” he explained.

Senja Gurau is divided into four clusters at UGM: the Exact Science and Technology cluster, the Social Sciences and Humanities cluster, the agro cluster, and the Health cluster. 

Senja Gurau’s first performance, which took place at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), was aimed at the academic community in the Social Sciences and Humanities cluster. 

The second performance was directed at the Agro cluster, specifically at the Faculty of Forestry. 

“This activity has been ongoing since September 2024,” Batas revealed.

As an open-air artistic movement, Senja Gurau aims to serve as a bridge uniting generations of students, alumni, and UGM’s academic community. 

Senja Gurau promotes creativity through performances and interactive activities, encouraging participants to ignite their imagination. 

“Most importantly, and in line with its primary objective, Senja Gurau serves as a stress reliever through interactive discussions and artistic performances, helping participants find emotional balance,” he added.

According to Batas, Senja Gurau is an artistic event and a step toward strengthening the academic community. 

In a spirit of togetherness and collaboration, we hope that every participant can benefit from this moment, relieve stress, and build a stronger network. 

“The hope is that this activity will positively impact both the academic and personal lives of students, faculty, and staff, helping maintain the mental health of the entire academic community,” he concluded.

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