Depok, June 23, 2026 — The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), is strengthening its student mental health support system through the Workshop on Strengthening the Role of Faculty Counselors and Student Welfare Officers (Adkesma), held on Thursday, June 18, at FMIPA UI. The event forms part of the faculty’s ongoing efforts to foster a campus environment that is safe, supportive, and responsive to student mental health issues.
This workshop forms part of FMIPA UI’s broader efforts to strengthen counseling services at the faculty level by involving department faculty counselors, Student Advocacy and Welfare (Adkesma) representatives from various student organizations, and the FMIPA UI Student Affairs Office. The outcomes of the workshop will be followed up through the facilitation of student counseling services in collaboration with department faculty counselors, with the aim of expanding access to both academic and non-academic support for students.
Mochamad Ramlih, Assistant Manager for Student Welfare Services at FMIPA UI, emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of student mentors and support personnel in responding to various challenges and issues faced by students within the campus environment.
“Strengthening the capacity of department counselor lecturers and Adkesma student representatives is essential so that they can provide initial support to students facing various challenges, both academic and non-academic,” said Mochamad Ramlih in his opening remarks.
He added that mental health is an important issue that requires the collective attention of the entire academic community. “Mental health is an aspect that we must all pay attention to in order to create a learning environment that is safe, comfortable, and supportive,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that collaboration between faculty members and students is key to building a sustainable support system within FMIPA UI.
The workshop session was subsequently led by Dini Rahma Bintari, a psychologist holding an M.Psi. and Ph.D., who provided comprehensive training on the roles of faculty counselors and Adkesma student representatives in supporting and mentoring students. One of the key focuses of the session was understanding student characteristics and highlighting the strategic role of faculty counselors in supporting students’ academic and psychological development.
Dini also emphasized the importance of fundamental counseling skills, including effective, empathetic, and student-centered communication. She further introduced the concept of Psychological First Aid (PFA) as an initial approach for responding to students experiencing psychological distress or crisis situations.
“Psychological First Aid is not intended to replace professional mental health services. Rather, it serves as an important initial step in recognizing early signs of psychological difficulties and providing an appropriate response before students receive further professional support,” said Dini Rahma Bintari.
Participants subsequently received advanced training on counseling skills and basic student support techniques. The session focused on developing active listening skills, building supportive relationships, asking appropriate and constructive questions, and understanding the boundaries of their role as providers of initial support to students.
The session continued with a role-playing exercise that provided participants with the opportunity to practice these skills through simulations of various student support scenarios. During the exercise, the facilitator offered direct feedback on the approaches used by participants and guided them toward more effective and appropriate support practices for different situations.
Throughout the workshop, participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm through interactive discussions addressing a wide range of student-related issues, including academic challenges, social relationships, and psychological well-being. The discussions also highlighted referral mechanisms to professional support services and underscored the importance of cross-functional collaboration within FMIPA UI in providing comprehensive support for students.
As the closing of the event, Yulia Mariana Tesa Ayudia Putri, Assistant Manager for Student Achievement Development and Student Ecosystem at FMIPA UI, presented a token of appreciation to the speaker in recognition of her valuable contribution to the workshop.
This initiative is expected to foster a more structured, accessible, and sustainable student support system for students within FMIPA UI, ensuring that guidance and assistance services are available when needed throughout their academic journey.
