The campaign to raise awareness about mental health is increasingly being promoted by society today. Students are also playing an active role in advocating for this issue. Students from the Learning Organization and Systematic Thinking (LOST) course, Class D, at the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a Mental Health Workshop and Mini Talkshow. Titled “Mindspark Empower Your Mental Health,” the event was held on October 25, 2024, as an effort to raise awareness about the importance of mental health among students.
Dr. Puput Oktamianti, Secretary of the Department of Health Administration and Policy at FPH UI, expressed her support and hope for the success of the event. “This event can serve as a reminder for all of us to pay attention to mental health. It is undeniable that the current situation presents significant challenges, especially in dealing with mental health issues. This is certainly a form of our collective attention, with everyone helping each other to continue living campus life happily and healthily. FPH UI itself also has a Student Counseling Agency as a service for students who need help or simply want to talk. So, please feel free to share any concerns with the student counseling agency,” Dr. Puput said in her opening remarks.
The LOST course, consisting of students from the 2024 Bachelor’s Program in Public Health, focused on the topic of coping mechanisms—strategies or tactics that individuals use to deal with situations that cause them stress or pressure. Farikha, the project officer for the event, added, “I hope this event can be helpful to all of you. The theme aims to help students manage their stress and lead a balanced and enjoyable campus life.”
The Mental Health Workshop and Mini Talkshow invited Agus Setiawan, Social and Environmental Coordinator of the UI Student Union (BEM UI) 2024, as the guest speaker. According to Agus Setiawan, problems will continue to arise in everyday life. “Problems arise from the mismatch or unmet expectations in certain situations. When problems occur, our self-resistance is disrupted, leading to stress. Therefore, coping mechanisms are important to practice,” explained Agus.
Coping mechanisms are adaptive thoughts or behaviors aimed at reducing or even eliminating pressures that could lead to psychological or psychosocial issues. Agus Setiawan explained that there are two types of coping mechanisms: problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. “The key to both types of coping mechanisms is self-control. Problem-focused coping is when we can solve a problem by addressing its root causes. However, if the problem cannot be solved, we must focus on managing emotions and coping with the pressure,” Agus elaborated.
One way to identify the appropriate coping mechanism is by engaging in activities that one enjoys. “Do what you love, and it will become a coping mechanism. However, it’s also important to remember its limits. Don’t let your hobbies distract you from your responsibilities,” said Agus Setiawan.
“Health is often prioritized when it comes to physical health. We often forget about mental health, which is not something we can see with our eyes but can only be felt. However, mental health is crucial because it impacts how a person feels and functions in life as they should,” Agus concluded his presentation. (ITM)