The 2018 International Summer Course and Convention that took place on July 2-13, 2018 went on smoothly. This ‘event’, as the name suggested, consisted of 2 different events: International Short Course on Psychology (ISCP) and International Convention on Depression and Culture. Both the short course and convention took place in Gadjah Mada University’s Faculty of Psychology, mainly in Auditorium G-100. A few parts of the events were also held in Prambanan and Gunung Kidul. This year’s International Summer Course and Convention is a continuation of ISCP 2017, with the same theme ‘Advovacy Skills in Mental Health System Development: From Research to Policy’. ISCP 2017 have successfully given meaningful impact through Gerakan Bebas Pasung, a movement that fights for the total abolishment of shackling people with mental health issues. This year’s course was organized to answer the challenges faced in developing the system of advocacy in mental health.
To hold this event, CPMH (Center for Public Mental Health) of UGM Psychology worked together UGM’s Office of International Affairs, the Faculty of Psychology Alumni Association, the Government of Kebumen Regency, and the Dosaraso Halfway Home. CPMH also collaborated with several universities, such as Groningen, Melbourne, Harvard, Middlesex London, and Sydney. Among the attendees were students, health practitioners, researchers, and policy makers.
Prof. Nila Moeloek, SP.M, who is the Minister of Health, came as the keynote speaker with 18 other international and national speakers who are experts in their fields. The speakers were Prof. Harry Minas (Head of Global and Cultural Mental Health Unit, Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne), Prof. Mary-Jo Good (Harvard University), Prof. Hans Pols (University of Sydney), Prof. Sofia Retnowati (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Alasdair Donald, Ph. D (Harvard University), dr. Gunawan Setiadi (Tirto Jiwo Rehab Center), Dr. Rahmat Hidayat (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Dr. Diana Setiyawati (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Aliza Hunt, Ph.D Cand (Australia National University), Prof. Byron Good (Harvard University), Dr. Erminia Colucci (Middlesex London University), Prof. Theo Bouman (Universitat Groningen), Prof. Nahathai Wongpakaran (Chiang Mai University), Prof. Laksono Trisnantoro (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Nova Riyanti Yusuf, Sp. Kj (Psychiatrist, Mental Health Law Promoter), Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Dr. Eny Sulistyaningrum (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Dr. Tuti Iryani Mohd Daud (Universitas Nasional Malaysia).
The materials delivered focused on the use of science to develop essential skill in advocacy. There were 4 modules: the basics, leadership, research, and publication. In the international convention about depression, held on July 9-10 there was a different module. All of the events were held in lectures, discussions, small groups, and presentations. Students from the faculty also entertained attendees with a gamelan performance.
We know from CPMH’s social media that these 2 events succeeded in giving meaningful and enjoyable experience for each attendee from start to finish.