The International Undergraduate Program of the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada organized a field study activity for the Community Empowerment & Psychoeducation course on Thursday, April 30, 2026. This activity was conducted at Paguyuban Swabantu Luhur Jiwo, located in Godean, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The field study aimed to strengthen students’ practical understanding of community empowerment, psychoeducation, and psychosocial approaches within society, particularly for Individuals with Mental Disorders (ODGJ).

Heavy rainfall in November 2025 triggered widespread floods and landslides across Aceh Province, affecting thousands of families. Schools were suspended, infrastructure was damaged, and access to clean water and healthcare became limited. Beyond the physical destruction, the disaster also left significant psychological and social impacts on communities.

Disaster Response and Field Experience

During the lecture, Al Fadhil shared firsthand experiences from emergency response efforts, including distributing food, clean water, and medicine to isolated areas such as Aceh Tamiang. With damaged roads and limited access, some aid had to be delivered by sea before continuing by land. Power outages, weak communication networks, and limited health facilities made the situation even more challenging.

The session also introduced the cluster approach in disaster management, where sectors such as shelter, health, water and sanitation, protection, and psychosocial support coordinate under a structured system. Students learned that effective humanitarian response relies on collaboration between government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and community actors.

Rapid needs assessment was another key topic. By combining interviews with local leaders, health workers, and vulnerable groups with field observations and official reports, humanitarian teams can identify urgent priorities such as clean water, medical services, shelter, and psychosocial support.

Integrating Mobile Clinics and Psychoeducation

A highlight of the lecture was the integration of mobile health services with structured psychoeducation programmes. The mobile clinic model brings essential healthcare directly to evacuation sites and remote villages. Services include medical consultations, treatment of common illnesses, maternal and child health care, and distribution of essential medicines. By reducing access barriers, the programme ensures timely and equitable care.

Alongside medical services, psychoeducation sessions are conducted for children, women, and caregivers. These sessions focus on understanding stress reactions, coping with trauma, parenting during crisis situations, and practicing self-care. Safe spaces and child-friendly activities help restore a sense of safety and normalcy, especially for children who are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress.

For students of Community Empowerment and Psychoeducation, the lecture served as a reminder that empowerment is about providing material assistance, strengthening resilience, and upholding human dignity. By connecting classroom concepts with real humanitarian practice, the session helped deepen students’ understanding of the important role psychology plays in disaster response and community recovery.

Writer: Thessalonica Faith Hill Joseph Kurnia

On March 18, 2024, students of the Psychology and Culture course attended an online class session inviting Pina Marsico, PhD. She serves as the Associate Professor of Development and Educational Psychology at the University of Salerno in Italy, a Visiting Professor at the PhD Programme in Psychology at the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil, and an Associate Researcher at Aalborg University in Denmark. With extensive experience in research within the educational field, she is now the leading figure in the Cultural Psychology of Education. Through an approximately 100-minute learning session, precisely from 2.20 PM to 4 PM, the students were granted an opportunity to delve into the interplay among culture, the individual, and the environment.