Suicide cases in East Java, especially in Singosari District, Malang Regency, have increased drastically by almost 52% in 2023.
One of the main factors driving suicidal risk behavior is poor psychological well-being. This condition triggers various mental health disorders such as chronic stress, depression, hopelessness, and helplessness that are at risk of triggering suicidal behavior.
The COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic impacts, such as economic inflation and demands for digitalization, have caused rattan craftsmen in Ardimulyo Village to experience a decrease in productivity, which resulted in almost 90% of craftsmen going bankrupt. This also increases the risk of juvenile delinquency in former rattan craftsmen and economic problems are also prone to affecting the mental and psycho-social health of housewives which have a direct impact on the parenting patterns and mental health of their children.
A team of lecturers from the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences conducted a strategic community service program entitled “Pojok Sejahtera Jiwa (POSJI)” for residents of Singosari District, Malang Regency.
POSJI Community Service will be implemented from June to October 2024 by forming superior mentally healthy cadres as gatekeepers who are responsive in detecting, reporting, and handling early suicide risks.
This program also develops a web-based information system and WhatsApp Bots as a medium for detection, screening, education, and training in handling stress, depression, and suicide risks.
By involving village potential, namely the youth group as gatekeepers, this program is expected to increase public awareness of the importance of mental health and provide effective solutions in preventing suicide.
“With the training and empowerment of cadres, we hope to create a community that cares about mental health and is able to help recognize potential signs of suicide attempts,” said Ns. Muhammad Sunarto, a Psychiatric Nursing Specialist, in a material counseling session on stress management.
One of the main innovations of POSJI is the development of a website-based information system and WhatsApp Bot.
This website is designed with a fun and modern theme, providing various features such as a discussion forum for consultation with health workers, psychological counseling services, and reminders for visits to health facilities. In addition, there is also an educational platform that presents material on mental health, news compilations, the latest health tips, and simple games to raise awareness of the importance of mental health.
“WhatsApp Bot will also function as a medium for detection, screening, education, and training in handling stress, depression, and suicide risk. With the active involvement of superior mental health cadres as gatekeepers, this program is expected to detect early signs of suicide risk and provide timely support.” Isal added, as a member of the student who proposed the breakthrough of the Pojok Sejahtera Jiwa information system.
The head of the proposal team, Dr. Ns. Lilik Supriati, S.Kep. M.Kep., said that this program will also produce various outputs in the form of scientific publications, national seminar presentations, modules, publications on social media, and recognition of student involvement as part of the 2024 PkM-KKN course.
Through the POSJI program, it is hoped that the people of Ardimulyo Village can improve their psychological well-being and prevent the risk of suicide by utilizing the potential in their village. This program is also expected to be a model for other villages in efforts to improve the psychological well-being of the community and prevent suicide.
The program is chaired by Dr. Ns. Lilik Supriati, S. Kep., M. Kep, and members Ns.M. Sunarto S.Kep., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.J; Ulifa Rahma, S. Psi. M. Psi., Psychologist; dr. Dearisa Surya Yudhantara, Sp. KJ. while the team members from FIKES UB semester 4 students consist of Mochamad Saiful Anwar, Muhammad Rois Hidayatullah, Nur Rizky Alfiansyah, Dhea Meyliana Victoria Putri, and Linda Wahyuningrum. (*/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).
