Dedication to Mental Health Issues, Unisa Yogyakarta Psychology Lecturer Receives Award From Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

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Mental Health

Lecturer of Psychology Study Program of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta, Ratna Yunita Setiyani Subardjo, S.Psi, M.Psi, Psychologist received an award from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for her dedication and attention to mental health issues. Ratna takes a role to help maintain mental health not only in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students but also families and the environment.

The woman who is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is considered instrumental in helping to provide help through programs related to mental health, as well as approaches with counseling and psychotherapy. Ratna’s mental health programs have had a positive impact on many Indonesian students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in particular, and students from various other countries in general.

Nita said that mental health is the main factor to make someone happy and empowered. Like gasoline, mental health is the driving force for the body to move forward, moving with enthusiasm, because it is empowered and happy to do so.

“Happy is not just about happiness that is always laughing, but being able to benefit others and be an inspiration to rise from adversity or problems, is a big output for those who are in trouble. Cases that occur in students, families, couples, and the general public are more about mild to severe mental health cases,” said Nita, Tuesday (11/3/2025).

Nita further said that mild mental health cases can actually be trained to be self-managed, if it is medium then it needs to be assisted with counseling and mild therapy depending on the case. If it is severe, it needs to be referred or assisted with therapy with regular assistance. Some serious cases related to depression, suicide, and severe mental disorders are of special concern.

“Not only students are involved in the counseling and therapy process, but also their families. Efforts to maintain mental health are carried out with various efforts such as preventive, curative, promotive and rehabilitative. Preventive with promotive in the form of mental health campaigns, in collaboration with PKPK UKM (PsiTra Psychology Clinic and Consultation Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and PSITRA (Center for Psychology and Human Welfare Studies),” he explained.

Nita emphasized that mental health is an issue that needs attention today. Because there is no health without mental health. “If we are physically sick, if we have the will and motivation to recover, we will diligently take medicine, diligently come to a counselor or psychologist to make us better. If we are mentally ill, even though we are physically healthy, we feel like we don’t want to do anything, so feelings of anxiety, overthinking, anxiety that can lead to depression that develops into mental disorders if not immediately prevented,” said Nita.

Nita also hopes that many more parties will pay attention to mental health issues. This can be done by improving communication, empathy, creativity, networking. “Action soon/do it now starting from now. From simple things and from ourselves,” said Nita.