Jember, October 3, 2025 – Amid increasing public attention on the issue of adolescent mental health, Universitas Terbuka (UT) Jember demonstrated its tangible support through a seminar titled “Slow Aja – Belajar Damai sama Diri Sendiri” (Just Take It Slow – Learning to Make Peace with Oneself). UT Jember invited hundreds of high school/vocational school/Islamic high school (SMA/SMK/MA) students in Jember Regency to learn to understand, accept, and love themselves without excessive pressure.
Mental Health as a Foundation for Learning
The event, held at Studio Kota Cinema Mall Jember, was part of the 41st UT Anniversary series. Approximately 163 students from 52 schools participated enthusiastically. More than just a seminar, the activity served as a safe space for students to share experiences and recognize the importance of maintaining mental health amidst increasingly complex academic and social pressures.
The Director of UT Jember, Dra. Barokah Widuroyakti, M.Pd., conveyed that mental health plays a significant role in learning success and the formation of adolescent character.
“Here, students not only receive material about the importance of mental health awareness but also understand how to choose a university that is relevant to their needs and life conditions. Education should be a peaceful space for growth, not a burden,” she said.
As a state university based on open and distance education, UT offers flexibility and inclusivity for anyone who wishes to pursue higher education without being constrained by distance, time, or personal circumstances. UT’s learning model proves to be a solution for many students who require a healthier and calmer study rhythm.
Speakers and Interactive Discussion
The seminar featured two inspiring speakers: Dr. Irsanti Widuri Asih, S.Sos., M.Si., Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at UT, who discussed the influence of the digital world and social media on adolescent mental health; and Nadia Maria, M.Psi., Psi., a Clinical Psychologist and Head of Garwita Institute Jember, who explored techniques of self-acceptance and emotion management. The event was moderated by Dr. Hadiqotul Luluk, M.Pd., who guided the discussion session to be warm and interactive. Participants appeared eager to ask various questions about anxiety, study pressure, and ways to find self-balance.
Appreciation came from the Head of the Vocational High School Section of the East Java Provincial Education Office Jember Region, Muhammad Khotib S.Pd., M.AP, who assessed UT Jember’s initiative as a positive step in building mental awareness among students. “Programs like this should be continuously expanded because they are very relevant to the needs of today’s teenagers,” he stated.
Collaboration and Contribution to SDGs
The activity not only involved schools but also engaged the UT Alumni Association (IKA-UT) and the UT Jember Student Organization (Ormawa) as organizing committees, reinforcing the spirit of cross-generational collaboration to provide a tangible impact on the community.
With a student body of 17,117 active students, most of whom are aged 18–24, UT Jember continues to prove itself as a youth-friendly campus. Through mental health education programs, UT actively supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and No. 4 (Quality Education).
Through an approach that touches the psychological and social aspects of students, UT Jember demonstrates that education is not just about the transfer of knowledge but also a process of building resilient and empowered individuals.
