Disclaimer:
This article contains content related to self-harm. Take a break if you feel uncomfortable while reading. Contact a psychologist, psychiatrist, or nearby healthcare professional if you or someone you know has thoughts of self-harm.
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), or self-harming behavior without suicidal intent, is increasingly observed, particularly among adolescents and young adults. In Indonesia, several studies indicate that this phenomenon appears in everyday settings, influenced by emotional pressure, unsupportive social relationships, and the growing complexity of life challenges. A research team from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is developing a psychoeducational module on NSSI designed as a first step to understand this behavior, reduce stigma, and help individuals and their immediate circles respond more appropriately. This initiative is funded by the 2025 Research Grant of the Faculty of Psychology UGM.
This initiative arises from real needs in the field: many people struggle to manage intense emotions such as anxiety, anger, or sadness, and some resort to harming their bodies as a temporary release. While not intended to end life, such practices can recur and affect physical health and psychological well-being. The research team views accurate understanding of NSSI and basic skills in emotion regulation as key to prevention, accompanied by safe support from family, peers, educators, and facilitators. The psychoeducational module aims to provide accessible information to the public, help individuals recognize triggers and feelings, and introduce healthier ways to cope with pressure.
The module is developed by synthesizing existing knowledge and adapting it to the Indonesian context so that language, examples, and approaches align with the needs of adult learners. The research team is led by Indrayanti, M.Si., Ph.D., Psychologist, alongside lecturers and practitioners from the Center for Public Mental Health with alumni and student collaborators. The team’s diverse backgrounds ensure the content is accurate, reader-friendly, and usable across settings such as classrooms, communities, counseling services, and short trainings. This approach is expected to make the module not only scientifically sound but also sensitive to users’ real-life contexts.
The expected outputs extend beyond the module. The team is preparing a scientific article to enrich academic references, intellectual property registration to support sustained utilization, and institutional news publication to make information broadly accessible. In this way, the module can serve as a starting point for training, capacity-building for support personnel, and wider advocacy for mental health literacy.
The anticipated impact includes increased public understanding of NSSI and reduced stigma, so individuals do not feel alone or blamed when they need help. Ultimately, these efforts aim to foster safer, more empathetic, and more resilient environments where everyone has space to understand their emotions and find healthier paths to recovery.
Funding acknowledgment: This research is funded by the 2025 Research Grant of the Faculty of Psychology UGM.
Writers:
Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda
Alifah S. Sabekti
Annisa Khomsah S.