Muthmainnah: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Islam dan Psikosufistik
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026): April

Libraries as Therapeutic Spaces for Supporting the Mental Health of Santri in Pesantren

Muhamad Abdul Muid (Universitas Islam Internasional Darullughah Wadda’wah, Pasuruan)
Adi Sucipto (Politeknik Pembangunan Pertanian Bogor, Bogor)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Jul 2026

Abstract

The mental health of santri is influenced by academic demands, communal life, adjustment processes, social support, and spiritual experiences within pesantren. In this context, libraries may be developed not only as learning resource centres but also as therapeutic spaces that support the psychological and spiritual well-being of santri. This study aims to examine the role of libraries as therapeutic spaces in supporting santri mental health in pesantren. An integrative literature review was conducted on 58 Indonesian- and English-language publications issued between 2020 and 2026. The literature was analysed through thematic synthesis focusing on santri mental health, libraries as safe and restorative spaces, bibliotherapy, mental health information services, psychosocial support, and spiritual–psycho-Sufistic approaches. The findings indicate that therapeutic pesantren libraries can be conceptualised through five interconnected dimensions: physical-restorative, informational, bibliotherapeutic, social-relational, and spiritual–psycho-Sufistic. These dimensions are manifested through calm and comfortable spaces, access to credible mental health information, reflective reading activities, peer support, collaboration with counsellors and pesantren caregivers, and the integration of muhasabah, dhikr, sabr, shukr, tawakkul, and Sufi literature. The model positions libraries at three levels of support: universal-preventive support, targeted support, and a bridging function towards professional services. This review concludes that libraries can become part of the pesantren mental health ecosystem without assuming the clinical functions of qualified professionals.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

muthmainnah

Publisher

Subject

Description

Muthmainnah: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Islam dan Psikosufistik is a peer-reviewed journal addressing contemporary Islamic Guidance and Counselling issues with p-ISSN: 2655-5425 and e-ISSN: 2808-2354. This journal publishes contributions from scholars who have conducted literature reviews and field ...