UNAIR NEWS聽鈥 The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic not only attacks a person鈥檚 health physically but also affects their mental condition.听We often become ignorant of mental health, even though these conditions can cause serious effects such as excessive anxiety, depression, and even mental disorders.
Rezita Nurul Magfiroh,聽one of Faculty Vocational Studies (FV) students of聽聽(UNAIR), recently succeeded in coming up with an idea through her essay entitled聽Bandar Kesmen,聽which is an acronym for Barisan Pemuda Sadar Kesehatan Mental (Youth Aware of Mental Health).听Through the essay, she managed to win First Place at the national event, Imatelki Essay Competition National Competition 2.0.
According to the Medical Laboratory study program student,聽Bandar Kesmen聽was created to increase public awareness on mental health due to the influence of the聽Covid-19聽pandemic.听
鈥淚n this case, my essay raises the urgency of the聽public mental health during a pandemic.听This essay refers to data from a mental health survey by the Association of Medical Specialists, which states that 63 percent of respondents claim to experience anxiety during the pandemic.听Meanwhile, 66 percent of respondents claimed to be depressed,鈥 said Rezita.
鈥淭herefore, I was moved to make Bandar Kesmen program by taking the first step, writing it in essay form,鈥 she added.
As projected, the聽Bandar Kesmen聽program will recruit young cadres, the youth deployed to the villages.
鈥淟ater on, this program will recruit teenagers aged 17-24 years, through the stages of dissemination, education, and training,鈥 said Rezita.
鈥淏ecause the level is the village level, the cadres will later be deployed in the villages to villagers who need assistance regarding their mental health,鈥 she continued.
Rezita also hoped that through her ideas, the聽Bandar Kesmen聽program聽would be able to bring about positive changes. The people in Indonesia are becoming more聽aware聽of their mental health.
Author: Zahwa E. Bella
Editor: Feri Fenoria
