UNAIR NEWS – The Faculty of Psychology Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) hosted the 2025 Psychological Talk Series titled Mental Health and Healing Practices on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, held virtually via Zoom. This event marked a meaningful international academic collaboration between UNAIR and Batangas State University in the Philippines.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Suryanto, M.Si., Dean of UNAIR’s Faculty of Psychology, extended a warm welcome to the international delegation. “We’re honored to host our colleagues from Batangas State University. Through this event, we hope to exchange insights and best practices on implementing mental health and healing strategies,” he stated.
Uniting for mental health advocacy
The first session featured two key speakers. Dr. Myra A. Bersoto of Batangas State University shared insights into healing practices and psychological approaches rooted in Filipino cultural traditions. She emphasized the importance of adapting psychological interventions to the specific cultural and community settings in order to improve recovery outcomes.
Meanwhile, Atika Dian Ariana, M.Sc., M.Psi., a lecturer at UNAIR’s Faculty of Psychology, shared developments in Indonesia’s mental health services. She highlighted the significance of intersectoral collaboration—among academia, healthcare professionals, and civil society—to broaden access and improve service quality at the grassroots level.
Following the presentations, participants engaged in a dynamic discussion. Students and faculty from both institutions posed questions about community-based healing, adolescent coping mechanisms, and post-pandemic psychosocial challenges. The robust exchange reflected a shared commitment to mental health across international boundaries.
The event concluded with a Bridging Minds session, which brought together psychology students from both UNAIR and Batangas State University. This initiative aimed to foster cross-cultural relationships and build global academic networks among the younger generation. The exchange of ideas and experiences from each country’s perspective opened doors for future collaborations—both in joint research projects and student exchange programs.
Through this initiative, UNAIR reaffirmed its dedication to addressing global mental health challenges through collaborative, transnational efforts. At the same time, the university strengthened its role as an institution actively engaged in international academic diplomacy.
Author: Panca Ezza Aisal Saputra
Editor : Ragil Kukuh Imanto
