The Graduate Student Association (HMP) of the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) held an online discussion titled “Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace” as part of the World Mental Health Day commemoration. The event, which took place via Zoom Meeting and was broadcasted live on the HMP FPH UI YouTube channel, was initiated by the Strategic Issue Study Department of HMP FPH UI, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, particularly in the workplace. The webinar, held on October 26, 2024, successfully brought in a number of expert speakers, including Fitri Effendy, S.Psi., Psychologist and Head of the Indonesian Psychological Association (HIMPSI) West Sumatra Region; Diana Rahmawati, M.Si., Clinical Psychologist at the University of Indonesia Satellite Clinic; and Dien Anshari, S.Sos., M.Si., Ph.D., Manager of Student Affairs at FPH UI, who is also a Mentor for the FPH UI Student Counseling Agency (BKM). The discussion was moderated by Chiefriana D. Gultom, S.K.M.
In his opening speech, Dien Anshari, S.Sos., M.Si., Ph.D., Manager of Student Affairs at FPH UI, emphasized the importance of mental health as an inseparable part of the definition of health, as stated by the WHO. “Health encompasses not only physical but also mental and spiritual aspects. Our appreciation goes to the committee for organizing this event, which not only commemorates Mental Health Day but also amplifies this issue so it becomes more accepted by the public,” said Dr. Dien. He further expressed his hope that this activity would not just be a one-time annual commemoration but a sustainable effort to increase mental health awareness, especially among the younger generation. “FPH UI has also opened mental health counseling services for students as a form of continuous support,” he added. This, according to him, aligns with FPH UI’s efforts to prepare a generation that can thrive internationally and support Indonesia’s Golden 2045 vision.
The basics of mental health and mental awareness in the workplace were discussed by the first speaker, Fitri Effendy, S.Psi., Psychologist. Referring to Law No. 18 of 2004, mental health is a condition where a person can develop physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially, enabling them to realize their potential, cope with stress, work productively, and contribute to their community. According to Fitri, the characteristics of a mentally healthy individual can be seen in their ability to adapt constructively to reality, feel satisfaction from their efforts, and learn from disappointments. “A mentally healthy individual not only accepts themselves as they are, but also has the ability to adapt, grow, express themselves, and show empathy,” said Fitri.
Common symptoms of mental disorders, as mentioned by Fitri, include changes in eating patterns, extreme mood swings, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty concentrating. Fitri added that the causes of mental health disorders could come from genetic factors, childhood trauma, unhealthy habits, unsupportive environments, and negative thought patterns. “To help someone cope with mental disorders, we need to remain calm, understand the emerging symptoms, identify the root causes, and provide support,” explained Fitri. “Preventive measures can certainly be taken, such as self-love, which involves recognizing, caring for, and appreciating oneself,” she added.
Diana Rahmawati, M.Si., Psychologist, highlighted the importance of creating self-affirmations in the workplace as an effort to maintain mental health. She explained that a high-pressure work environment can hinder the psychological well-being of employees, which ultimately has a negative impact on productivity and overall quality of life. “A pressuring work environment can trigger high levels of stress and burnout, which not only affects an individual’s productivity but also their family’s well-being,” said Diana. Such impacts highlight the importance of fostering a work environment that supports psychological well-being.
Furthermore, signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health include behavioral changes, concentration issues, and sleep difficulties. Diana mentioned risk factors in the workplace, such as excessive workload, lack of control over tasks, an unsupportive organizational culture, and insufficient support from supervisors, which also contribute to an increased risk of mental health problems. Diana stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy sleep pattern, handling conflicts constructively, and continuously honing emotional management skills to strengthen mental well-being in the workplace.
FPH UI is now one of the faculties at the University of Indonesia that provides specialized counseling services, a response to the increase in mental health cases among students after the pandemic. “Mental health cases have risen since the pandemic, and counseling services at the Makara Clinic have often been overloaded. Seeing this, the faculty initiated specialized counseling services within the faculty so that students would not need to wait long at the main clinic,” revealed Dr. Dien. The Makara Clinic fully supports this initiative, especially in addressing psychological issues at an early stage before they become more complex.
The development of these services started with training faculty members as counselors and forming the BKM team, followed by the opening of counseling rooms in August 2024, which was inaugurated through a soft launching. Dr. Dien added, “Student Well-being is the latest counseling service from the student affairs department at FPH UI, supported by trained and certified faculty counselors. This service not only functions as a counseling agency but also actively and comprehensively supports students’ mental health issues.” Students who need counseling services can register online via s.id/konselingfkmui. This service is expected to further strengthen the mental health of FPH UI students in facing academic challenges and campus life.
As an institution that continues to commit to the well-being of its academic community, FPH UI, through various educational activities and the services provided, strives to build awareness that mental health is a key element in supporting productivity, resilience, and positive social contributions. Initiatives such as “Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace” are concrete evidence that FPH UI not only understands the urgency of mental health but also takes tangible steps to create a healthy, supportive, and inclusive campus environment for all its members. (DFD)