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 activities included Posbindu (Integrated Health Post), a Blood Donation Drive, and a Mental Health Workshop. Posbindu featured medical staff from the Gadjah Mada Medical Center (GMC UGM), while the mental health workshop invited speaker Diana Setiyawati, S.Psi., MHSc., Ph.D., Psychologist, Head of the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH), who delivered a session titled “Shaping Tomorrow: How Your Thoughts Today Define Your Future Well-Being.”
This event aimed to raise awareness and promote early detection of non-communicable diseases, foster a campus culture that supports both mental and physical health, enhance mental health literacy, encourage a supportive work and learning environment, equip participants with self-care techniques and coping mechanisms, and build a supportive community.
The Posbindu and blood donation activities took place from 08.00 to 11.00 WIB at the Atrium of Building A with Dr. Nurul Atifah from GMC UGM, while the mental health workshop was held from 13.00 to 15.00 WIB in Room A-203.
The program began with an ice-breaking session facilitated by the CPMH team. This activity paired up participants for interactive games such as odd-even and math operations, designed not only to train reflexes but also to highlight the importance of concentration.
Regarding mental health, Diana Setiyawati shared various common sources of stress, ranging from workload accumulation to personal worries.
“Stress from thinking about debt. Multiple tasks coming in at the same time, many things that need to be measured… worrying about everything, a soulmate not yet coming, anything can be a worry,” said Mrs. Diana.
On stress management, Diana shared several strategies that can be applied daily, such as exercising, taking walks, talking to friends, worship, resting, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies.
She also emphasized the importance of developing skills to manage stress:
“Managing emotions, reducing stress quickly, having a response to stress so you’re not reactive, staying calm.”
Diana also explained several factors that make someone more vulnerable to stress and mental health issues.
“First, we are vulnerable because of genetics. If there is a history of mental illness in our family line, it means we may have a predisposition. But it’s the same as when a family has cancer or diabetes—it means there’s a seed. That seed doesn’t always mean someone will become severely ill; for example, if my mother is very anxious, that can be passed down to us,” she explained.
She went on to discuss the physical impacts of stress that can be directly observed.
“Stress damages the body in three ways. First, the HPA axis: the hypothalamus, pituitary, and cortisol. This harms the body and brain and can cause cognitive decline. Second, the nervous system: the sympathetic nerves automatically activate, disrupting the lungs, heart, liver, and digestion. Third, the immune system: stress weakens the body’s defenses against bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and more,” she said.
However, emotions can be modified through thoughts and actions, as illustrated by everyday examples.
“When we’re sad, if we smile, we can become happy. If you want to sleep, chat, or smoke—resist it. If you are angry and want to hit something—sit down. If you are sad and want to cry—smile. So resist it, so negative emotions can be turned into positive ones,” she explained.
Diana emphasized the importance of facing stress with full awareness in order to maintain mental well-being.
Writer & Photographer: Erna Tri Nofiyana