Healthy Body, Healthy Soul, and Healthy Mind

Jatinangor, May 17 – On Tuesday (14/5), students of class C of Public Relations study program of Universitas Padjadjaran held an “Aku Project” activity in the form of a talk entitled “Aku-Bicara: There is always room to understand yourself” at Bale Sawala, Rectorate Building, Unpad, Jatinangor.

The talk show discussed the importance of mental health, as well as the significance of fostering a caring attitude towards oneself and the society. This activity presented speakers from Indonesian Hypnotherapy Instructor Dr. Jiemi Ardian, Sp.KJ, lecturer of Faculty of Psychology Unpad Hari Setyowibowo, M.Psi, and representatives from the Directorate of Prevention and Control of Mental Health and Drug Problems of the Indonesian Ministry of Health Dr. Lina Regina Mangaweang, Sp.KJ.

In the event, Hari emphasized that mental health is very crucial for students, as it is not only our physical body that needs to be healthy, but also our mental state. Hari explained that in some situations, one might want to be alone and far from the crowd. “Being alone does not mean being lonely, but one thing that needs to be instilled is that ‘when I’m alone, I’m fine, but together with you, I’m better’. This means that though we do need others in certain situations, we shouldn’t be dependent on them,” he explains.

Meanwhile, Jiemi revealed that being healthy is not only about being physically healthy, but also about being mentally healthy and having healthy relationships. Jiemi explained that the process of extreme mood changes is naturally experienced by humans, and we should not immediately judge these changes in a negative direction, unless these changes interfere with everyday activities. “If the mood changes that a person feels have caused interference for that person in doing their everyday activities, it could be said to be a sign of psychiatric disorders,” Jiemi explained.

In order to support mental health education in the community, the Indonesian Ministry of Health together with the Indonesian Ministry of Health team and the Unpad Service and Guidance Counseling Team (TPBK) present an art exhibition, and provide mental health detection services. In addition, the Ministry of Health of Indonesia is intensively conducting socializations to disseminate information about mental health to the community by visiting schools and providing information through leaflets, brochures, and videos. Responding further, Lina said that the Ministry of Health also has an application to monitor mental health. She also said that if follow-up is needed, participants will be encouraged to attend counseling.

Writer: Yohanes William Ivakdalam
Translator: Dhia Anaulva Putri