Concerned with the mental and physical health of its students, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) has reopened its Student Counseling Center (BPM) and sports facilities. Symbolically relaunched on Monday, December 9, 2024, the event, titled “Caring for the Mind, Building the Body: Moving Together with FPH UI,” invited all academic staff and the FPH UI community to become more aware of the importance of mental and physical health.
As one of the pioneering faculties at UI to provide BPM services, along with five other faculties (FISIP, MIPA, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Psychology), FPH UI cares for holistic health, which includes both mental and physical well-being for its students.
“Education develops and strengthens all human elements into one cohesive element. Education, in its truest sense, has a broader meaning than just teaching; however, we often reduce the understanding of education merely to instruction. In fact, the development of the mind is also an essential part of education—creating graduates who are not only intellectually capable but also virtuous, not only physically healthy but also mentally healthy, and who possess resilient personalities. Mental health has often been neglected, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted social interactions and led to an increase in cases related to mental health. Therefore, it is essential for us to open the counseling center, as mental health issues are critical to address,” said the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., in his opening remarks.
As mentioned by the Dean, the reopening of the BPM FPH UI aims to provide a space for students who need psychological support. In recent years, the role of counseling on campus has become increasingly important, considering the challenges faced by students in their academic lives. The BPM FPH UI is here to support students in managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues that often arise.
Through counseling sessions with trained counselor lecturers, BPM provides services based on a professional, safe, and confidential approach. Additionally, FPH UI actively promotes the importance of mental health through various student activities by inviting professionals to provide knowledge on how to maintain mental well-being amid academic demands.
Beyond focusing on mental health, the event also highlighted the importance of physical health by reopening the FPH UI sports field. Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain physical fitness while boosting mood and psychological well-being. This sports facility is not only intended for students who enjoy sports but also serves as a space to strengthen the bond among academic staff and the FPH UI community through various physical activities.
With the complete facilities, students can enjoy various types of sports such as futsal, volleyball, basketball, and other activities. The reopening of the sports field was also celebrated with a group exercise session, which was attended by all participants to mark the spirit of moving together.
The theme “Moving Together” reminds us that caring for both mental and physical health is not just an individual task, but also a collective responsibility as a community. All members of the FPH UI academic community are invited to participate in various activities, whether they focus on mental health or physical health. Involvement in sports communities, seminars, or even discussions on mental health can strengthen social networks among students and create a healthier and more inclusive campus atmosphere.
In line with this spirit, FPH UI also offers various regular sports activities that can be participated in by faculty members, staff, and students, including:
- Group exercise sessions every Wednesday at 4:00 PM
- Poundfit held once a month
- Badminton every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Table tennis every Monday from 4:00 PM until finished
- Tai Chi exercise once a week
Through this program, FPH UI hopes to create an environment that supports the balanced personal growth of students, where physical and mental health go hand in hand. This initiative also serves as a call to action for FPH UI students to be more open and supportive of one another in maintaining their well-being, both individually and within the community.
The reopening of the Student Counseling Center and Sports Field at FPH UI is not just a ceremonial event but a concrete step towards making FPH UI a campus that is more concerned with the mental and physical health of its students. The spirit of “Caring for the Mind, Building the Body” is hoped to inspire all students to be more mindful of themselves and others in creating a healthier and more balanced life.
Let’s move together to create a caring and empowered environment for a healthier, happier, and more energetic future! (wrk)