Commemorating World Mental Health Day 2026: UGM Strengthens Commitment to a “Caring Campus” and Inclusive Services

YOGYAKARTA – October 10th is globally observed as World Mental Health Day to raise public awareness and promote more inclusive mental health services. In response to increasingly complex mental health challenges in the modern era, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)—through its Bureau of Strategic Management (BMS) and Integrated Health Services Bureau (BPKT)—reaffirms its commitment to building a caring, inclusive, and responsive campus ecosystem.

In 2026, World Mental Health Day carries the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. This theme emphasizes the importance of directly involving individuals with lived experiences of mental health conditions in policy formulation, service design, and decision-making. This commemoration calls on all members of society to move toward concrete actions so that mental health services become more human-centric, rights-based, and aligned with community needs.

Contemporary Mental Health Challenges

Based on World Health Organization (WHO) data and reports, the global community currently faces significant mental health challenges:

1. Life Demands: Social changes, academic and work pressures, economic issues, conflicts, and future uncertainties serve as major factors affecting individuals’ psychological well-being.

2. Loneliness in the Social Media Era: Despite rapid technological advancements, progress does not always make individuals feel more connected. A lack of meaningful social connections is linked to a decline in psychological well-being, particularly among youth.

3. Digital Space Pressures: While social media serves as a platform for communication and support, it also brings negative impacts such as social comparison, cyberbullying, appearance pressures, FOMO (fear of missing out), harmful content, and problematic technology use.

4. Rising Cases Among Adolescents: Globally, approximately 1 in 7 children and adolescents aged 10–19 experience a mental health condition. Issues such as anxiety, depression, social pressures, violence, stigma, and barriers to seeking help require early attention and intervention.

UGM’s Real Contribution to Strengthening Mental Health

To address these challenges, UGM implements concrete steps through various integrated programs and services:

• Mental Health Crisis Service: UGM provides the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) via the hotline 081329520052 to assist students experiencing mental health crises and ensure their safety.

• Screening and Early Detection: Mental health screenings are routinely conducted for incoming students as an early detection effort for psychological conditions and support needs, with plans to expand coverage to active students.

• Integrated Psychological Services and Caring Campus: Through the Psychological Consultation Unit (UKP) of the Faculty of Psychology, the Integrated Mental Health Service (ULKM), faculty-level peer counselors, Gadjah Mada Medical Center (GMC), and UGM Academic Hospital (RSA), the university provides counseling, psychological assessment, and referrals. This is further reinforced by the support of the UGM Alumni Association (KAGAMA) in building a “Caring Campus” ecosystem.

• Research, Education, Policy, and Governance Strengthening: Through the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) at the Faculty of Psychology, UGM develops research as a foundation for strengthening mental health services, education, prevention, and policies. The university also promotes literacy, early intervention, and collaboration so the academic community can recognize support needs and access professionals.

Through the momentum of World Mental Health Day 2026, UGM invites everyone to turn listening into action and build mental health systems with people with lived experience, not merely for them.