Yogyakarta, 3 February 2026 – A study entitled “The psychological preparedness of at-risk Indonesian communities to disaster (PREPARED) scale: Validation and norm development,” authored by Pradytia Putri Pertiwi et al. and published in Acta Psychologica (Vol. 262), provides an important contribution to the measurement of psychological preparedness for disasters among Indonesian communities. To date, disaster preparedness initiatives in Indonesia have largely emphasized physical and material aspects, while the psychological dimension has received relatively little attention, despite evidence showing that psychological preparedness is associated with better stress management and a reduced risk of post-disaster mental health problems.

The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH), continues its humanitarian support for communities affected by flash floods in Aceh. Following the delivery process and coordination with local partners, assistance in the form of dignity kits and other essential items has been received and directly distributed to residents in several affected areas in North Aceh.

Commemorating its 61st anniversary on January 8, 2026, the Faculty of Psychology of Universitas Gadjah Mada adopts the theme “Psychology in Synergy Toward a Resilient and Prosperous Nation.” This spirit is not merely a slogan, but a tangible reflection embodied in a series of reputable international scientific publications produced by the academic community of the Faculty of Psychology UGM over the past year. We have compiled these publications as a “special gift” that highlights the Faculty’s contributions across three main pillars: global mental health, Indonesian local wisdom, and disaster resilience.

The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH), has implemented a series of psychosocial support programs for communities affected by floods and landslides in Aceh. Supported by Emergency Disaster Response Community Service Funding for the Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra regions from the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, the program is designed to address the urgent mental health recovery needs of survivors while strengthening long-term psychosocial support systems at the community and local government levels.

Diana Setiyawati, S.Psi., MHSc., Ph.D., Psikolog, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is one of the grantees of the Community Service Program for Emergency Disaster Response in the Provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. She received funding for a program entitled “Integrated Psychosocial Recovery Program for Communities Affected by Floods in Sumatra.”

Pradytia Putri Pertiwi, S.Psi., Ph.D, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was invited by the American Red Cross through the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) to present her research on the inclusivity and actionability of volcanic hazard Early Warning Systems (EWS) for persons with disabilities (PwD) in Indonesia. The study has been published on the GDPC–American Red Cross platform under the title “Inclusivity and actionability of volcanic hazard Early Warning System in Indonesia: Perspectives of persons with disabilities”.

Sheilla Varadhila Peristianto, M.Psi., Psikolog, successfully earned her doctoral degree at the open defense of the Doctoral Program in Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, on Tuesday (19/08). Her dissertation, titled “The Concept of Rasa Rumangsa and Its Relation to the Subjective Burden of Families Caring for Individuals with Schizophrenia”, marked her as the 6,672nd doctoral graduate of UGM.

The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with TVRI Yogyakarta, presented the sixth episode of the program OPSI: Obrolan Psikologi (Psychological Talks), which aired on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM (WIB). This episode carried the theme "Beyond Nature, Beyond Network: Building Mental Resilience," highlighting the connection between nature-based activities and psychological endurance.

The theme was chosen in response to the rising pressures of modern life, which is fast-paced, highly competitive, and filled with demands. Amid the relentless digital world, reconnecting with nature offers a way to calm the mind and restore inner strength. Outdoor activities not only provide peace but also help sharpen one’s ability to face challenges with patience, calmness, and mindfulness.

Yogyakarta, May 5, 2025 — A recent study titled “A bibliometric analysis on disaster volunteer resilience research: All time period”, published in the Scopus-indexed proceedings IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1479 012036, reveals global trends, collaborations, and key focuses in disaster volunteer resilience research.

The workshop featured three lecturers from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM): Prof. Dr. Sofia Retnowati, M.S., Psychologist; Prof. Drs. Subandi, M.A., Ph.D., Psychologist; and Dr. Diana Setiyawati, M.HSc.Psy., Psychologist. These individuals were directly involved in psychosocial recovery programs following the tsunami. UGM played a significant role in Aceh’s recovery post-tsunami, with its Faculty of Psychology actively supporting the psychosocial rehabilitation of the community. This support included deploying psychologists to various community health centers (puskesmas), including in the Meulaboh area, and initiating collaboration to establish a Psychology Study Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University. This initiative was part of long-term efforts to build local capacity in mental health.

The workshop’s in-depth discussions aimed to evaluate the achievements of mental health programs over the past two decades while formulating concrete follow-up action plans. “All parties agree that the presence of psychologists in puskesmas needs to continue, just as it was during the tsunami recovery period. This step is crucial for strengthening mental health services at the community level,” explained Dr. Diana Setiyawati.

The main commemoration event is scheduled for December 26, 2024, in Meulaboh, one of the areas most severely affected by the disaster. The event will be attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Psychology UGM, Rahmat Hidayat, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Drs. Haryanto, M.Si., Psychologist, representing the Faculty of Psychology UGM, along with local officials and community members. This commemoration serves as an important moment to honor the victims and to strengthen solidarity in building a more resilient future for Aceh.

This series of commemorative events is not only an opportunity for reflection but also a reminder of the importance of preparedness and collaboration in facing future disaster challenges.

Author and photo: Wulan Nur Jatmika, S.Psi., M.Sc.