Dr. Anke Karl is the strategic lead of the Clinical Psychology Research Group and the Mood Disorders Centre, and serves as Director of the MDC Biobehavioural Lab. Her research examines how biological and behavioral processes shape posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recovery from psychological trauma. She also works on applying biopsychological knowledge to improve therapies for people with PTSD and depression.

She trained in clinical psychology and behavioural neuroscience at Humboldt University Berlin, where she received the Young Scientist Award in 2001. She later completed postdoctoral research at the Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, before holding academic positions in Germany and the UK prior to joining the University of Exeter.

Her work has been published in leading journals and supported by major research funders. She also completed advanced training in cognitive behavioural therapy, is a licensed Psychological Psychotherapist, and practices as an associate therapist at the AccEPT Clinic.

The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a series of activities titled Wellness Day: Maintaining Body and Mind in Harmony on Friday (14/10). The in-person event was attended by lecturers and administrative staff of the Faculty of Psychology.

The Center for Indigenous and Cultural Psychology (CICP) of the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, participated in the u’GOOD Inaugural Conference titled “Thriving Together: Youth, Relational Wellbeing and the Future of the Global South,” held from October 7–9, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This inaugural conference served as the official launch of u’GOOD research projects across 9 Global South countries and marked the initial meeting of a Community of Practice (CoP) aimed at strengthening cross-national and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with TVRI Yogyakarta, once again presents OPSI: Obrolan Psikologi (Psychology Talk) with its fifteenth episode, airing on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 3:00–4:00 PM WIB. This episode raises the theme “Fight Overthinking, Stay Sane, and Keep Work on Track!”. The discussion focuses on overthinking that often arises in the workplace due to excessive demands, pressure, and expectations. The episode explores how overthinking can affect mental health and daily work performance. It also discusses ways to manage overthinking in order to remain mentally healthy and productive at work.

The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Center for Education Standards and Policy (PSKP) of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), conducted monitoring and evaluation (Monev) of the 2025 Academic Ability Test (TKA) implementation across six regions: Maluku, Special Region of Yogyakarta, West Sumatra, Gorontalo, East Kalimantan, and Banten. The Monev aims to ensure TKA implementation complies with national standards while gathering input for the improvement of academic ability-based selection policies.

Prof. Drs. Subandi, M.A., Ph.D., Psikolog, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was invited to serve as both facilitator and speaker at the Psychospirituality and Recovery of Substance Use Disorders Workshop, organized by the Malaysian Association of Drug Addiction Counselors (MADAC) in collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This event was held from 26–29 October 2025 at the Royal Park Hotel @UNITEN, Bangi, Malaysia.

Mental health promotion across generations has become increasingly crucial in today’s rapidly changing world, especially for young people navigating complex family, educational, and digital environments. Responding to this global need, the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH), led by Dr. Diana Setiyawati, M.HSc., Psikolog., in collaboration with the Center for Life-Span Development (CLSD), headed by Aisha Sekar Laziardi Rachmanie, M.Psi., Psikolog., – both under the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), proudly held the International Course on Public Mental Health (ICPMH) 2025 with the theme “Bridging Generations: Thriving Youth, Supportive Families, Collaborative Schools”. This programme aimed to explore strategies for strengthening youth well-being through supportive family relationships, collaborative school engagement, and active community involvement.

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.

Bullying remains a serious issue in the education sector, as it has a direct impact on students’ mental health. Data from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA, 2022) shows that one in four Indonesian adolescents has experienced physical or psychological violence. This condition indicates that bullying is not merely an individual behavioral problem, but also a reflection of a school ecosystem that is not yet fully safe and supportive for students’ psychological development.