Counseling Education as an Effort to Improve Mental Health Literacy among University Students - Asram, Ani; Aksir, Muh. Ilham; Ichsania, Nurul; Rahayu, Yuli; Ilmi, Nurul (Journal of Sustainable Community Practices, 2026)
Abstrak Kesehatan mental mahasiswa merupakan isu prioritas di tingkat global maupun nasional, namun pemanfaatan layanan konseling di kalangan mahasiswa Indonesia masih sangat rendah akibat stigma sosial, miskonsepsi, dan rendahnya literasi kesehatan mental. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan meningkatkan literasi kesehatan mental mahasiswa melalui edukasi konseling yang terstruktur dengan pendekatan pembelajaran aktif. Kegiatan dilaksanakan terhadap 55 mahasiswa program studi kesehatan masyarakat menggunakan tiga metode terintegrasi: ceramah interaktif, diskusi kelompok terbuka, dan brainstorming partisipatif berbasis sticky notes. Evaluasi dilakukan secara deskriptif-kualitatif melalui observasi partisipasi, analisis konten respons sticky notes, dan refleksi peserta. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan antusiasme yang tinggi (tingkat partisipasi aktif lebih dari 50%) serta teridentifikasinya lima tema utama persepsi mahasiswa, yaitu: stigma dan rasa malu, miskonsepsi tentang konseling, kurangnya pengetahuan prosedural, kekhawatiran kerahasiaan, dan harapan terhadap aksesibilitas layanan. Kegiatan ini memberikan dampak positif berupa pergeseran pemahaman mahasiswa terhadap konseling dari layanan eksklusif untuk gangguan berat menjadi hak dan kebutuhan dasar kesehatan mental. Direkomendasikan agar institusi pendidikan tinggi melembagakan program edukasi serupa secara berkala dan memperkuat aksesibilitas layanan konseling kampus. Abstract Student mental health is a priority issue both globally and nationally, yet the use of counseling services among Indonesian university students remains very low due to social stigma, misconceptions, and low mental health literacy. This community service activity aims to improve students' mental health literacy through structured counseling education using an active learning approach. The activity was conducted with 55 public health students using three integrated methods: interactive lectures, open group discussions, and participatory sticky-notes brainstorming. Evaluation was conducted descriptively and qualitatively through participation observation, content analysis of sticky-notes responses, and participant reflection. The results showed high enthusiasm (active participation rate of over 50%) and identified five main themes of student perceptions: stigma and shame, misconceptions about counseling, lack of procedural knowledge, confidentiality concerns, and expectations for service accessibility. The activity had a positive impact by shifting students' understanding of counseling from an exclusive service for severe disorders to a basic right and need for mental health. It is recommended that higher education institutions institutionalize similar education programs periodically and strengthen the accessibility of campus counseling services.