UNAIR NEWS – The Ministry of Health, Student Executive Board (BEM) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), organized Equaloka Minds Vol. 2 at Gedung Kuliah Bersama (GKB) C, UNAIR MERR-C Campus, on Saturday (October 10, 2026). This event equipped dozens of high school students with the tactics to respond to bullying while commemorating World Mental Health Day.
Head of the Equaloka Minds 2026 Organizing Committee, Chindy Andini Putri, emphasized that teenagers are highly vulnerable to emotional crises. Therefore, the committee strived to break this cycle of violence by creating a safe space to align their thoughts.
“Without a supportive environment, teenagers who are perceived as different are vulnerable to becoming victims. While others who have low emotional control are at risk of becoming perpetrators,” explained the student of the Faculty of Nursing.
Danger of forced mediation
A lecturer of the UNAIR Faculty of Psychology, Ika Yuniar Cahyanti MPsi Psikolog, highlighted a fatal mistake often made by schools in rushing into forced mediation. She emphasized that forcing parties to shake hands immediately after the incident actually worsens the victim’s psychological trauma. “Educators must separate the victim and the perpetrator, and provide educational sanctions through separate psychological assessments,” she said.
Furthermore, Cahyanti urged educators and parents to be vigilant in early detection of behavioral changes in students who fall victim to bullying. Reluctance to go to school, self-isolation, and frequently damaged personal belongings are strong signs of bullying. “In addition to physical violence, schools must also crack down on relational bullying, such as social exclusion and cyberbullying,” she added.
Expressive art therapy
As a form of support for emotional recovery, the committee facilitated various expressive activities such as theatrical performances, flashmob, clay workshop, and accessories crafting. Kneading clay served as a medium to release anger, while accessories crafting symbolized the process of re-weaving self-acceptance. The climax of the event concluded with the declaration of anti-bullying commitment through a communal signing session titled “Sign for Kindness”.
This interactive experience in the campus environment proved to motivate students to pursue higher education at UNAIR and become the agent of change. They were encouraged to bravely reject violence and actively embrace peers who fall victim to bullying at school. To ensure the sustainability of the program, UNAIR Student Executive Board is ready to facilitate digital education networks and ongoing consultation services.
Author: Nabila Afifah Abida
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
