The Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Indonesia (UI), held a seminar titled “Maintaining Physical and Mental Health During College” in collaboration with STARBORN Mengajar 2025. The event took place at the Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy Hall, UI Depok Campus, on Monday (September 15), featuring dr. Fathimah Sulistyowati Sigit, Ph.D., from the UI Makara Satellite Clinic and the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UI, as the keynote speaker. The seminar was attended by 83 students from the geology and geophysics (geosciences) programs at FMIPA UI.
In her presentation, dr. Fathimah highlighted various health issues commonly experienced by students, ranging from acute respiratory infections (ARI), tuberculosis, digestive disorders such as dyspepsia and acute gastroenteritis (AGE), to sexually transmitted diseases. She also referenced findings from the 2024 UI new student health check-up, which revealed a double burden of malnutrition in the form of obesity and anemia.
“Students need to understand that maintaining health is not just about avoiding illness, but about creating physical and mental conditions that support optimal learning,” said Fathimah.
“Complaints such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or stomach problems often serve as early signs of nutritional issues or stress.”
In addition to physical health issues, the seminar also addressed mental health aspects that are often overlooked. Fathimah explained that academic pressure and environmental factors make stress and depression common issues among students. For early detection, participants were introduced to an online survey-based mental health screening system to identify tendencies toward depression and anxiety disorders.
The Q&A session was interactive. Participants raised various concerns, such as persistent respiratory problems and difficulty accessing counseling services. Some also inquired about the procedures for psychological services at the UI Makara Satellite Clinic.
As part of education and support, dr. Fathimah also introduced the facilities and services available at the UI Makara Satellite Clinic. These services include regular health check-ups, a laboratory with a one-stop service system, emergency training, and mental health counseling. The services are available to students, lecturers, educational staff, and the general public around the campus.
The event concluded with the presentation of a plaque to the speaker and a photo session with all participants.
