“Gen Z: Stronger Minds, Stronger Lives!” was the main theme of the Community Movement Seminar on Mental Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Prevention for Teenagers, held on October 19, 2024, at the Doctoral Promotion Room, Building G, Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI). The event was initiated by FPH UI Extension students as part of the Organizational Learning and Systemic Thinking course and as part of the commemoration of World Mental Health Day. The seminar aimed to increase teenagers’ knowledge and understanding of the importance of maintaining mental health and avoiding substance abuse.
The seminar invited two expert speakers: Anggie Harmalia P., M.Psi., Psychologist, an experienced psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health issues, and Purwoko Nugroho, M.Si., a representative from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of Depok City. The event was attended by 36 students and 4 accompanying teachers from 4 high schools in Depok, 60 new undergraduate students from FPH UI, and representatives from FPH UI’s Student Affairs Office.
Teti Erikawati, the event chair, highlighted the importance of this seminar in raising awareness among the youth about mental health and substance abuse prevention. Dr. Umi Zakiati, Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division at the Depok Health Office, expressed her support in her opening remarks, saying, “The Depok Health Office fully supports activities like this, especially those emphasizing preventive efforts and health education for teenagers, particularly concerning mental health and the dangers of substance abuse.”
Also present was Prof. Dr. Robiana Modjo, S.K.M., M.Kes., Chair of the Bachelor’s Program in Public Health at FPH UI. Prof. Robiana expressed gratitude for the collaboration and cooperation of all parties involved in making the event a success. “We appreciate everyone who has actively contributed to organizing this seminar. Thank you also to the wonderful speakers who will provide valuable insights to the participants,” Prof. Robiana stated.
Anggie Harmalia P., M.Psi., Psychologist, focused her discussion on two main topics: Gen Z’s mental health and the importance of emotional intelligence. She revealed that “One in three teenagers experiences mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.” According to Anggie, one of the main factors contributing to this condition is the low ability of teenagers to manage emotions and understand others’ emotions, known as emotional intelligence. Referring to research showing that Gen Z has lower emotional intelligence levels compared to previous generations, Anggie emphasized that this does not mean they are “less intelligent.” Gen Z requires more education and reinforcement in this area. “Technology, the internet, and social media play a major role in this,” Anggie explained. These three elements provide quick and instant access to information but also trigger a decline in self-control. “Short video durations on social media platforms often encourage impulsive behavior and the desire for instant gratification,” she added. Additionally, the phenomenon of bullying and the culture of instant satisfaction on social media exacerbates the situation. “The speed of these processes affects how people learn, whereas humans should be accustomed to enjoying the process,” Anggie noted.
As a preventive measure, Anggie emphasized the importance of maintaining balance in using technology. “We can’t completely avoid technology, but we can take some anticipatory actions, such as getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising, limiting gadget use, and joining positive communities,” Anggie said. She added, “Our brains get fatigued when they receive too much information in a short time, such as when watching short videos on social media. Therefore, being firm with ourselves to limit screen time can provide our brains with much-needed rest.”
Meanwhile, Purwoko Nugroho, M.Si., from the BNN Depok City, discussed substance abuse among teenagers. “Substance abuse is an issue that occurs not only in Indonesia but also in other countries. To this day, no country can claim to be drug-free,” said Purwoko. According to Purwoko, drugs are a transnational crime that poses a serious threat to society. He highlighted that the number of drug abusers in Indonesia increases every year. “This is an iceberg phenomenon, where over 3 million users are documented, but the unreported numbers are far higher,” he stated. The age group of 15-24 years is the most affected by drug abuse, which is closely linked to mental health issues. Purwoko also warned about the dangers of vaping, noting that there are now modified liquid methamphetamine variants that resemble vapes, making them difficult to recognize. “We even found elementary school children involved in drug trafficking,” Purwoko revealed. The impact of drug abuse, he continued, can be divided into three categories: physical, psychological, and social. “Its effects are not only detrimental to the individual but also have a widespread impact on their social environment,” he emphasized. Purwoko delivered a strong message to the youth: “Never let it cross your mind to use drugs. Even once, the impact is harmful. It’s like poisoning your own body.”
The event was effectively moderated by Tri Novia, S.Kep., Ners., M.M., M.I.Kom., who is also the Health Ambassador for West Java Province for the 2024/2025 period. Through collaboration among various parties, it is hoped that this seminar will serve as the first step in educating the younger generation about mental health and substance abuse prevention. It is expected that the information and insights gained today can be applied in everyday life to create a mentally and physically healthier generation. (DFD)