Depok, May 5, 2026 — The Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia (UI), organized a Faculty Counselor Training Program on May 4–5, 2026. The program was conducted in a hybrid format, with the first day held online and the second day conducted onsite at the Professor’s Room of FPH UI.
The training was attended by approximately 20 faculty members, including both experienced counselors and newly appointed faculty counselors. The program aimed to strengthen faculty capacity in supporting students, particularly in addressing the increasingly complex challenges related to mental health.
The training featured Ika Malika, M.Psi., Psychologist, Coordinator of Counseling Services at the UI Makara Satellite Clinic, as the keynote speaker. Also present were the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Affairs of FPH UI, Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc., and the Manager of Academic Affairs, Internationalization, Student Affairs, and Alumni of FPH UI, Dr. Laila Fitria, S.K.M., M.K.M.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Besral emphasized that student mental health has become a serious issue at both the national and global levels. He noted that various studies indicate that the prevalence of depression among university students can range from one-quarter to one-half of the student population. Anxiety and stress also remain significant challenges faced by students.
“Academic success is not determined solely by intellectual capacity; it is also influenced by mental health conditions and various other factors, such as family environment and academic workload,” said Prof. Besral. He further explained that students’ stress levels tend to increase during examination periods, including midterm and final examinations.
Prof. Besral also highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of faculty members as counselors. Faculty are expected not only to serve as educators but also as empathetic listeners, mentors, and connectors who can guide students toward professional support services, such as the Makara Clinic and the UI Hospital. In addition, he underscored the need for adaptive approaches that take into account the characteristics of today’s student generation, as well as the importance of student safety as part of creating a safe and supportive campus environment.
During the training session, Ika Malika, M.Psi., Psychologist, presented a series of topics beginning with an understanding of the characteristics of today’s students, followed by discussions on fundamental counseling concepts and the attitudes that faculty counselors should possess. In subsequent sessions, participants learned about and practiced providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) to students.
She emphasized that Psychological First Aid is not solely the responsibility of faculty counselors but can be provided by anyone. However, faculty counselors play a strategic role as the first point of contact who are expected to recognize and respond appropriately to students’ needs.
The training was designed to be highly interactive, encouraging participants to engage in discussions and share experiences. Throughout the sessions, the speaker emphasized that students’ academic success depends not only on intellectual abilities but also on their capacity to manage the challenges they encounter. Differences in perceptions of problems often present a challenge, as issues that may appear minor to faculty members can be experienced as significant burdens by students.
Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of mental health concerns, including thoughts of self-harm, has become a shared concern. Therefore, a strong network of care and support is needed, involving not only professional services but also students’ immediate environments, including the faculty.
The training also equipped participants with essential counseling skills, such as empathetic listening, creating a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for students, and collaboratively helping them identify solutions. Faculty counselors are expected to be present when needed, provide their full attention, and observe students’ conditions with sensitivity and insight.
Through this training, FPH UI reaffirms its commitment to strengthening support for student mental health and fostering an inclusive, safe, and responsive academic environment that meets the evolving needs of students in a rapidly changing era. (wrk)