Penerapan Clay Art dan Painting Therapy dalam Kegiatan Penguatan Kesehatan Mental Mahasiswa

Abstract

One in eight people worldwide suffers from a mental disorder. This condition also appears at the university level, as students experience increased academic pressure. Negative perceptions of mental disorders lead to shame, fear, or reluctance among sufferers to seek help. Educational institutions are expected to provide therapies such as assertiveness training and relaxation training. This article discusses community service activities in the form of clay art and painting therapy to raise awareness of student mental health. The activities provided participants with the opportunity to create clay works and watercolor paintings while expressing their mental distress. The art therapy concluded with counseling between participants and therapists from the Surakarta Psychology House. Participants found art therapy to be highly beneficial in helping them reduce anxiety, leading to feelings of greater relaxation, well-being, and happiness. Despite remaining concerned about the outcome and the judgment of others, this activity taught participants to enjoy the process, be grateful for everything they've gone through, calm themselves, and appreciate the result, as the process is what matters most. Participants also found the art therapy activity enjoyable and a welcome distraction from their busy student schedules. The experience was deemed highly engaging, as participants learned various ways to manage stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings through art therapy, and found it a way to release negative emotions.