Singaraja- The presence of the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered changes in the fabric of people’s lives, such as education and the economy. Conditions that last long enough have the potential to cause mental health problems. This is of concern to the Student Association of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Languages and Arts, University of Education, Ganesha (FBS-Undiksha). This student organization provides a space to share knowledge about strategies or tips for maintaining mental health through a webinar, Saturday (18/9/2021).
There were two speakers who were presented in the webinar with participants from the Foreign Language Department. Luh Putu Yuli Surya Dewi, S.Psi., as Counseling Center for Integrated Services for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (P2TP2A) Buleleng Regency and Kadek Dwi Chandra Oktariana as Deputy I Bajang Bali and Bajang Bali Best in Speech 2021. Committee Chair, Ni Kadek Priska Ayu Widyawati explained that this activity is a form of community service that is included in the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. “This webinar is filled with material on stress management and tips for improving self-quality during a pandemic. This is important for students,” she explained.
This activity was opened by the Dean of FBS Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Made Sutama, M.Pd. He conveyed that mental health cannot be separated from physical health and vice versa. “That is, if our minds or mental health, we will be helped physically to become healthier,” he said. However, the problem is that in the future, along with increasingly complex challenges, whether coming from the personal or economic environment, including what has recently hit a pandemic, the potential for mental health disorders is even greater. “The pandemic has indeed disturbed many people’s mentality which has made many people anxious and afraid of being exposed. Then the pandemic changed the way we live, including among students who changed the way they study. Previously, there was another exciting side to being able to come to campus, but now that cannot be done. So that our challenges for mental health will be even greater in the future,” he said, accompanied by the Head of the Foreign Language Department, Dr. Ni Luh Putu Eka Sulistia Dewi, S.Pd., M.Pd.
Based on this, in his opinion, this webinar is very appropriate to carry out. “This is where I see the importance of this webinar and at the same time I appreciate the committee, HMJ Foreign Languages, and the managers of the Department of Foreign Languages who have chosen a very contextual theme, which is very relevant to what we are experiencing now,” he added.
During the material presentation session, the keynote speaker, Yuli Surya Dewi brought the material entitled “Improve Self-Quality through Stress Management during a Pandemic”. She also stated that the presence of a pandemic had caused stress in society. There are a number of efforts to manage stress, namely trying to stay at home. Take a break and stay away from negative news about Covid-19, stay healthy with a balanced diet and exercise, take time to relax and try to do activities you like, connect with other people, contact a counselor if there is protracted stress, and don’t forget to always pray.
Meanwhile, guest speaker Dwi Chandra Oktariana presented the material “Tips for Students to Improve Self-Quality During a Pandemic”. He said the pandemic had created a new situation in student life, especially in lectures. “In this pandemic, we have changed a lot. Almost all sectors in life,” she said. However, according to her, efforts to improve self-quality are still a must, especially for students. “We have to adapt if we want to survive. If previously we studied face to face, now we have to go online, we have to adapt. We have to learn how to use the media platform for learning, how to interact so we can still feel the feeling even if we only see the monitor,” she said. In addition, students can take advantage of free time with positive activities, according to their interests and talents. (hms)
