University life is often described as one of the most exciting phases of life, but for many students, it can also be the most challenging. Stuck in academic pressure, financial struggles, social difficulties, and anxiety about the future, the struggles of university life can build up and lead to serious psychological distress. Depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts are not uncommon among Indonesian university students, who also often face limited access to mental health services.

Addressing this urgent issue, a team of psychology researchers is taking a major step forward with the launch of the APRESIASI study (@apresiasi.project on Instagram), a project that adapts and tests the WHO’s Self-Help Plus (SH+) program for Indonesian university students. Unlike many studies that report completed results, the APRESIASI project is currently at the protocol stage. This means that researchers have carefully designed the study and are now preparing to carry it out, but outcomes are not yet available.

Even so, the design itself is an incredibly crucial milestone, as it lays the foundation for future findings that could contribute to accessible and cost-effective mental health care for university students in Indonesia.

What is SH+?

Self-Help Plus (SH+) is a low-intensity, group-based stress management program developed by the World Health Organization. It combines pre-recorded audio lessons with a self-help book titled “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress.” In small groups, students learn practical strategies such as: grounding techniques to stay calm, managing overwhelming thoughts, acting on personal values, practicing kindness, and making room for difficult emotions. The APRESIASI project has adapted SH+ specifically for the Indonesian student context.

How the Study Works

The APRESIASI trial will involve 296 university students aged 17-29, who report mild to moderate levels of psychological distress. They are randomly assigned into two groups:

• One group that receives SH+ sessions plus standard care,
• Another group that receives the standard care only.

The SH+ sessions run for five weeks, each lasting around 90-100 minutes. The group consists of 20-30 students to ensure that the method is accessible and cost-effective.

Researchers will measure whether students who join SH+ show:

• Reduced depression and anxiety symptoms,
• Better coping skills,
• Stronger resilience, and
• Improved overall quality of life.

If proven effective, APRESIASI could become the go-to model for student mental health programs across Indonesian universities, offering timely help in a system where mental health professionals are still scarce.

Why is This So Important?

With more than 8 million students across the country and only about 4000 clinical psychologists in Indonesia, also considering that certain areas still lack affordable mental health care, the gap in mental health support is significant. The existence of a scalable intervention like SH+ could make a real difference. By providing tools for self-care and stress management, the APRESIASI study is paving the way for Indonesian psychologists and Indonesian students toward a healthier, more resilient generation of mental health and healthcare for Indonesian students. Despite still being in the protocol phase, this study and its progress are something to keep an eye on.

For more information and updates on the project, follow @apresiasi.project on Instagram.

This article is based on the research from:

Andriani, D., Purba, F. D., Witteveen, A. B., Neily Zakiyah, & Marit Sijbrandij. (2025). Effectiveness of adapted self-help plus (SH+) to reduce psychological distress among university students in Indonesia (APRESIASI): protocol of a randomized controlled trial. PubMed, 13(1), 752–752. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03026-y