Celebrating World Mental Health Day, FW IPB University Invites Students to Build Mental Resilience
Coinciding with the commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2025, the Postgraduate Student Forum (FW) IPB University organized a “Mental Resilience” Seminar themed “The Resilient Graduate: Successful Strategies for Facing Academic and Personal Challenges”.
According to Firman Soejana, ST, MT, Chairman of FW IPB University, this activity came from the concern about the importance of paying attention to mental health in the midst of academic pressure and personal problems of students.
One of the speakers, Dr Majariana Krisanti as Coordinator of IPB University’s Guidance Counseling Team, emphasized the importance of self-management and balance between productivity and rest.
“The key is in balance, knowing when to focus, and when to pause,” she said during the event at Satari Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, IPB Dramaga Campus, some time ago.
Dr Majariana emphasized the importance of self-management and the balance between productivity and rest. “The key is in balance, knowing when to focus, and when to pause,” she said.
She outlined four simple yet impactful strategies. First, managing time and energy, not just to-do lists, but also breaks. Second, develop a growth mindset. “Change ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’t yet’,” she said.
Next, is to practice self-compassion by stopping comparing yourself. Lastly, he advised to see failure not as the end, but as feedback to grow.
Meanwhile, dr Lahargo Kembaren, SpKJ, Specialist in Mental Medicine at Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital reminded us that emotions are not the enemy, but an important signal from ourselves. “Emotions and stress are natural. Every emotion has a reason and purpose,” he said.
dr Lahargo also invited participants to try the 4-7-8 breathing technique to regulate emotions. This technique is done through the nose for 4 counts, holding the breath for 7 counts, and exhaling through the mouth for 8 counts.
He closed the presentation with a touching reflective message. “You don’t have to be great, the important thing is to be useful. You don’t have to be a winner, the important thing is to live in peace. Humans are created to be useful, not to be perfect.” he added.
Despite presenting different perspectives, both speakers agreed that mental resilience is not just the ability to withstand mental pressure, but how a person is able to recognize, manage, and make peace with himself in the midst of life’s complexities.
Rizka Annisa Mingka, SMat as the chief executive hopes that this activity will provide real benefits, open new insights, and serve as a reminder that maintaining mental health is as important as pursuing academic achievement.
“Remember that we don’t have to face everything alone, sometimes courage comes when we share our stories and seek help. Every small step can be an important part of the journey to recover and get back on our feet,” Rizka said.
For anyone who is feeling tired, confused, or needs a friend to listen, IPB University has a Guidance and Counseling Team, with senior counselors (lecturers) and peer counselors (students) who are ready to help. Registration can be done through the Instagram account @tbkipb. (*/Rz) (IAAS/LAN)
