Behind the figure of 19,579 are 19,579 individual stories: a cadet whose resilience was assessed, a community supported in maintaining its mental health, and a family helped to better understand their child’s development. From January to June 2026, this was the number of people directly reached by community service programs and activities conducted by the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The figure demonstrates that psychological science at UGM does not remain confined to classrooms and academic journals; it reaches communities and responds to real-world challenges.
This achievement was not the result of a single program, but rather the cumulative contribution of various community service units working together. Behind it lies a substantial range of activities supported by strong resources and expertise. The services provided were also diverse and addressed a broad spectrum of needs, ranging from psychological assessments and education to community assistance, allowing their benefits to reach people from many different backgrounds.
Through the Research, Community Service, and Cooperation Unit (UPPKM), the faculty organized 113 community service activities, supported by funding of Rp3.7 billion and involving 208 faculty members and 268 students. This represents a tangible synergy between educators and students in advancing the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tridarma Perguruan Tinggi). The most frequently conducted activities were psychological testing (30 activities), psychoeducation (28 activities), and community training and assistance (25 activities). These services were complemented by 19 psychological services, four psychological measurement instrument development activities, and three educational module or media development activities. This diversity demonstrates the faculty’s ability to respond to the needs of various groups, ranging from mental health and lifespan development to community strengthening.
Two units recorded the highest and nearly equal reach: the Psychological Diagnostic Instrument Development Unit (UPAP), with 6,824 service users, and the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH), with 6,813 service users. The next largest contributions came from the Center of Life-Span Development (CLSD), which reached 3,269 people, and the Human Quality Development Unit (UKPM), which reached 1,696 people. Meanwhile, the Psychological Consultation Unit (UKP) reached 587 people, the Mental Processes and Behavior Laboratory (Lab PMP) reached 235 people, and the Center for Indigenous and Cultural Psychology (CICP) reached 155 people. These diverse figures from various units converge toward one outcome: nearly 20,000 people directly experienced the benefits of these services.
This achievement demonstrates that the figure of 19,579 is more than a statistic. It is evidence that the Faculty of Psychology UGM is present not only as an institution of education and research but also as a strategic partner for communities in addressing real-world psychological challenges. Looking ahead, the challenge is not simply to repeat the figure, but to expand the reach and strengthen the quality of these services so that more people, in more regions, can experience how psychological science can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda
Photos: Erna and Hanif