University of Mataram Provides Accessible Mental Health Support for Students
The University of Mataram (Unram) provides students with access to mental health support through its Academic Support Unit for Counseling and Career Development (UPA BKPK), supported by professional counselling services, mental health education, psychological first-aid training, awareness programmes, and referral pathways. These services form part of the University’s commitment to student well-being and directly support Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-Being, particularly Indicator 3.3.5 on student access to mental health support.
At the institutional level, UPA BKPK serves as an important point of access for students facing academic, personal, social, and psychological challenges. The University’s academic regulations also recognise this support mechanism by allowing academic advisers to refer students who require additional assistance to the University’s counselling and career-development services. The continued availability of student mental health support was reaffirmed when UPA BKPK presented counselling services and mental health programmes as part of its established institutional services. This demonstrates that counselling and mental health support at Unram are not limited to occasional activities, but form part of the University’s organised student-support system.
Counselling Services as a Student Support Mechanism
Unram has developed counselling services specifically to assist students who experience difficulties during university life. Through student counselling and guidance services provided by UPA BKPK, students can seek support for both academic and non-academic concerns, including challenges that may affect their psychological well-being.
This counselling mechanism complements the role of academic advisers. When problems experienced by students require more specialised assistance, they can be directed to UPA BKPK, creating a pathway from routine academic guidance to dedicated counselling and psychological support. The importance of these services was reinforced during the UPA BKPK Mental Health Roadshow at FHISIP, where students were reminded that they do not have to face psychological pressure, exhaustion, loss of direction, or other emotional difficulties alone. The programme also informed students about the counselling support available within the University.
Mental Health Roadshow: Bringing Support Closer to Students
A major example of Unram’s commitment to student mental health was the 2025 Mental Health Roadshow organised by UPA BKPK. Held under the theme “When the World Is Fine, but I Am Not,” the programme brought together students from different faculties and focused on mental health awareness and Psychological First Aid (P3LP).
During the programme, students learned about psychological distress, emotional triggers, active and empathetic communication, and practical ways to provide initial assistance to themselves or others experiencing emotional difficulties. The activity therefore went beyond general awareness and provided practical skills that students could apply in everyday situations.
Students were also introduced to simple stress-management and emotional-regulation techniques such as square breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and the butterfly hug. These exercises were designed to help students manage anxiety, stress, and psychological pressure while reinforcing the importance of seeking professional support when needed.
“Speak Up, Reach Out”: Creating a Psychologically Safe Campus
Unram expanded its mental health education through the “Speak Up, Reach Out” Mental Health Talk Show, organised by UPA BKPK in collaboration with the Indonesian Psychological Association (HIMPSI) West Nusa Tenggara. The programme was designed to improve mental health literacy, encourage students to communicate openly about psychological difficulties, and reduce stigma related to seeking professional assistance. Hundreds of participants joined the programme, demonstrating significant student interest in mental health and well-being.
The activity discussed social support, psychologically safe communities, adolescent and young-adult mental health literacy, and the importance of professional help. Through this initiative, UPA BKPK encouraged students to view mental health as an essential part of overall well-being rather than as a taboo subject.
Mental Health Screening and Professional Support
Unram’s mental health initiatives also include opportunities for students to interact directly with mental health professionals. During Mental Health Day activities at Universitas Mataram, participants were provided with mental health education, screening opportunities, and brief consultations. These activities helped students become more aware of their emotional condition and introduced them to appropriate sources of assistance.
Such activities provide an accessible entry point for students who may feel uncertain about seeking formal counselling. By meeting professionals in educational and supportive settings, students can learn about available services and become more comfortable seeking help when necessary.
Mental Health Education Across Faculties
Unram also brings mental health support closer to students through faculty-level activities. At the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, UPA BKPK organised the “Who Am I? A Journey to Discovering Yourself” Mental Health Awareness Roadshow. The programme involved approximately 200 students and addressed self-awareness, emotional recognition, stress-management strategies, and positive coping mechanisms.
Students were introduced to practical techniques that could be used to manage academic and personal pressures. This faculty-based approach enables the University to bring mental health education into students’ immediate learning environments.
Building Psychological First-Aid Capacity Among Students
An important feature of Unram’s approach is that students are not only recipients of mental health support but are also equipped with skills to provide appropriate initial support to their peers. Through the 2025 Mental Health Roadshow, participants were introduced to Psychological First Aid (P3LP) and learned how to recognise signs of psychological distress and respond appropriately before professional assistance becomes available.
This peer-support dimension helps build a campus culture in which students are more aware of one another’s psychological well-being. At the same time, the programme emphasises that peer assistance has limits and that individuals experiencing serious psychological difficulties should be connected with professional services.
An Institutional Approach to Student Mental Well-Being
Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate that mental health support at the University of Mataram operates through several interconnected mechanisms: student counselling through UPA BKPK, referral from academic advisers, access to psychologists and mental health professionals, mental health screening, Psychological First Aid education, faculty-level roadshows, stress-management education, peer-support awareness, and programmes encouraging professional help-seeking.
The institutional nature of this support is particularly important for SDG Indicator 3.3.5. Through UPA BKPK’s established counselling and mental health programmes, the University maintains a continuing student-support mechanism rather than relying solely on individual seminars or commemorative events. By maintaining counselling services and bringing mental health education closer to students, the University of Mataram supports early recognition of psychological difficulties, reduces stigma surrounding help-seeking, promotes healthy coping strategies, and creates pathways to professional assistance.
The University of Mataram provides students with access to mental health support through UPA BKPK, including counselling services, professional psychological support, mental health screening, Psychological First Aid training, referral pathways, mental health education, and faculty-based awareness programmes.