Depok, December 5, 2025 — The Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia (UI), held the Online Seminar (Semol) Series 16 titled “Grow Strong, Feel Strong: Growth, Development, and Mental Health in the Modern Era” in a hybrid format. The seminar was part of the Basic Reproductive Health Course offered by the Public Health Study Program at FPH UI. It addressed both physical and mental aspects of adolescent growth and development, featuring speakers from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Marzuki Mahdi Hospital.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. dr. Sabarinah, M.Sc., Chair of the Reproductive Health Study Group at FPH UI. In her opening remarks, Prof. Sabarinah expressed appreciation to the students who had prepared the event and emphasized the importance of understanding adolescent growth and development. “Most of our students are still adolescents. Therefore, together we will examine what aspects need attention from a public health perspective, especially in reproductive health, where we can undertake primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention,” said Prof. Sabarinah.
The seminar was then moderated by Prof. Dr. Kemal Siregar, M.Ph., Ph.D., Professor at the Department of Biostatistics and Population Studies at FPH UI and Chair of the Health Informatics Research Cluster. Prior to the presentations, Prof. Kemal underscored that issues of adolescent growth, development, and mental health are essential components of public health development.
The first speaker, Dr. Margareta Orman Ariani Sitanggang from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), emphasized the importance of fulfilling adolescents’ rights and needs as key development assets. She began her presentation by referring to adolescent health data measured through the GAMA (Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent Health) program and explained several findings. “The live birth rate among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 is 20 per 1,000. Skilled birth attendance stands at only 82%. In addition, 7% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 have had their first sexual intercourse before the age of 15,” said Dr. Margareta. She added that protection for sexually active adolescents remains very low. “Condom use during last sexual intercourse is only 35%, placing adolescents at high risk of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,” she noted.
She further outlined UNFPA’s mandate in achieving three global goals: preventing preventable maternal deaths, meeting the unmet need for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage.
The next speaker, Miranti Novia Wardani, S.Psi., from Marzuki Mahdi Hospital, highlighted the urgency of the seminar’s theme. “Mental health is just as important as physical health. Many incidents have opened our eyes to the fact that this issue cannot be ignored,” said Miranti.
She then explained the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among adolescents. “Anxiety disorders affect approximately 3.6% of children aged 10–14 years and 4.6% of those aged 15–19 years. Depression presents symptoms such as loss of interest, sleep disturbances, and decreased concentration; therefore, adolescents need the ability to regulate their emotions,” Miranti explained. She further noted that several simple techniques can help, such as grounding, breathing techniques, and mindfulness, and emphasized that resilience is a skill that can be developed.
Through the implementation of Semol Series 16, FPH UI reaffirmed its role in mainstreaming issues of adolescent growth, development, and mental health as a crucial foundation for public health development. By integrating scientific perspectives, clinical practice, and global mandates related to the fulfillment of adolescents’ rights, the seminar strengthened the understanding that physical and mental well-being are inseparable in the developmental process of the younger generation. This activity marked a strategic momentum for FPH UI to continue leading education, research, and advocacy efforts to ensure Indonesian adolescents grow strong—both physically and psychologically—enabling them to face the challenges of the modern era with resilience and sustainability. (EAR)