Mental Health Literacy Education through the “Why Am I Feeling Galau?” Seminar for University Students in Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi
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Abstract
Mental health is essential to university students’ psychological well-being and academic functioning. Academic, social, financial, and personal pressures can affect students’ emotional states, often described in Indonesian as “galau,” which refers to feelings of emotional distress, confusion, or uncertainty. Limited mental health literacy may hinder students’ ability to recognize their emotions, manage psychological stress, and identify appropriate sources of support. This community service activity aimed to enhance students’ mental health literacy and awareness through a seminar entitled “Mental Health Awareness: Why Am I Feeling Galau?” The seminar was held on October 10, 2026, at Grand Hotel Metro Permai in Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi, and was attended by 160 university students. A psychoeducational approach was implemented through presentations, interactive discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and reinforcement of key mental health messages. The topics covered included emotional awareness, psychological stressors, adaptive coping strategies, the risks of self-diagnosis, mental health stigma, social support, and professional help-seeking. The seminar provided an educational platform for connecting mental health concepts with students’ everyday experiences. Participants’ engagement in discussions and question-and-answer sessions demonstrated their involvement in the learning process. However, because no pre-intervention or post-intervention assessments were conducted, improvements in mental health literacy or changes in participants’ behavior could not be empirically established. This activity provides a foundation for developing more sustainable mental health literacy programs through collaboration among universities, communities, and mental health professionals.
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