On Thursday (7/9/2023), the Student Affairs, Research, and Community Service Unit of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI) organized a dialogue related to mental health issues among FTUI students. In collaboration with the Advocacy and Student Welfare Division of the FTUI Student Executive Board (Adkesma BEM), Heads and Secretaries of Departments, and Education Personnel, the dialogue discussed what causes student stressors, what preventive actions can be taken and the creation of a task force to handle mental health issues at FTUI.
“The development of student mental health today is different from the past. Today’s student stressors are more complex, so we need to be more aware of these issues, especially with the new students in 2023. There is a need for preventive action related to mental health issues that occur by involving various parties such as PA Lecturers, Heads and Secretaries of Departments, BEM, and Makara Clinic as the front guard of mental health management.” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Yanuar as Vice Dean when opening the dialogue.
Based on the results of a survey conducted by Klinik Makara in 2022, there are two stressors experienced by students, namely academic problems and interpersonal relationships. Both problems became the subject of discussion in the dialogue. The results of the dialogue formulated that a task force would be formed to handle mental health issues. Later this task force will appoint a Key Person from students of each batch and Department to supervise students who tend to have mental health issues. In addition, the results of the dialogue also determined the coordination flow of reporting mental health cases and related data confidentiality.
The Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, stated, “FTUI is committed to increasing students’ mental health awareness as an important part of their well-being. We continue to work with various parties to provide the necessary resources and support so that students can feel heard and get the attention they deserve.”
On this occasion, the Academic Advocacy Team of BEM FTUI also conveyed what steps they have taken so far regarding mental health issues. There are four steps they take, namely: registering students who experience academic problems, then tracking and providing such as ensuring students attend lectures and exams and providing study groups. In addition, for mental health advocacy, they provide anonymous storytelling rooms and assistance for students who need counselling at the Makara Clinic.
“It is expected that all Lecturers, Education Personnel and BEM can be proactive in seeing the dynamics that occur in the field related to this mental health issue. We hope that with regular dialogue activities like this, a healthy environment for the mental health of our students will be created,” said Dr. Romadhani Ardi Manager of Student Affairs, Research and Community Service of FTUI.
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia