Lecturers from the Faculty of Psychology (Fapsi) Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) held a series of workshops and mental health assistance programs for students of the Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). This initiative was taken in response to concerns about the adjustment of FTI ITB students, who have been experiencing challenges in dealing with study loads and intense academic competition.

The program is in line with the 3rd Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure healthy lives and support well-being for all ages. This program focuses on improving students’ mental well-being, which is an important element in achieving overall health.

Program Background and Objectives

Based on the observations of lecturers at FTI ITB, it was found that many students have difficulty adjusting to their new roles as students, especially those who were not accepted into their first-choice majors. 

Learning motivation decreases, academic competition becomes unhealthy, and students tend to be reluctant to be transparent regarding grades. As a result, many experience stress and obstacles in actualizing their potential, both in academic and non-academic aspects.

In response to this situation, the Faculty of Psychology Unpad’s Center for Psychology Innovation and Research Studies (PSIPP) designed the Student Mental Health Maintenance Assistance Program. This program aims to accurately map the problems faced by students and design preventive interventions that suit their needs. 

The ultimate goal is to help FTI ITB students be better prepared to face various academic and social challenges, and also support them in developing effective coping skills.

This program involves various activities, ranging from workshops and focus group discussions (FGDs) to the development of mental health modules. The program design process was conducted using the “IDE” (Identify, Develop, Execute) approach, which includes:

1. Identify: Initial assessment through e-survey and FGD to understand the mental health condition of students, including risk and protective factors.
2. Develop: Development of a mentoring program that includes mental health socialization, psychoeducation activities, counseling, and advice to faculty.
3. Execute: Implement the intervention through workshops for lecturers and students, as well as the dissemination of e-modules as mentoring guides.

The program is managed by a team of experts from the Faculty of Psychology, consisting of:

1. Dr. Fitri Ariyanti Abidin, M.Psi, Psychologist – Head of PSIPP, a clinical psychologist with 18 years of experience in Psychology.
2. Miryam Wedyaswari, M.Psi, Psychologist – Lecturer and educational resilience researcher, as well as online counseling application developer.
3. Dhini Andriani, M.Psi, Psychologist – Researcher in stress and stress coping.
4. Indra Santosa Heriawan, M.Psi, Psychologist – Designer of self-development programs.
5. Putu Getsha Pradnyan Rarasati Mudita, S.Psi. – Medical expert manager at Social Connect.

The program was implemented from August 2023 to April 2024. Activities began with surveys and FGDs, continued with interventions through workshops, and ended with the distribution of mental health modules.

This initiative is expected to provide positive benefits for the mental health of FTI ITB students, help them adjust to academic demands, and support the achievement of SDGs 3 by improving student welfare. This program demonstrates Unpad’s commitment in supporting the well-being of the younger generation through a holistic and research-based approach.