Unit of Counseling Psychology (UKP) is one of the unit under Faculty of Psychology that have a role in providing counseling or psychological services to society. During COVID-19 pandemic, UKP contributing in giving free counseling for public with Online Psychological Consultation Program.
This activity was implemented considering the direct or indirect effect of COVID-19 pandemic, such as social and physical distancing, working from home and school from home policy that can caused certain psychological burden. Free counseling was run by sending email or message to UKP from instagram, which are the popular platform that can be accessed by all groups in general society. By giving online counseling, UKP intended to give psychological support to people in society who needs it, so they can function normally in their daily lives as well as mentally health.
The online counseling has been start from March 24, 2020 and planned to keep going until the end of the pandemic. In the beginning of the execution, which are March 24-31, 2020, there are 25-26 clients daily in average, with minimum of 16 clients and 43 clients in maximum. Furthermore on April, the number of clients are 4-5 people in average. The clients come from various age, from 20-40 years old.
Professional psychologists from UKP, like lecturer and associate psychologists are ones who in charge for the online counseling.
“Clients who who consult, averagely convey about anxiety that they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as work from home or school from home”, said Edilburga Wulan Saptandari, Ph.D as The Chief of UKP.
People who want to do online psychological consultation can reach UKP during working hours, from 08.00 AM to 04.00 PM (WIB). This free counseling activity expected to provide free and easy psychological services that accessible to the broadest possible community from various groups.