The Community Service (PkM) team from the Faculty of Psychology at Mercu Buana University Yogyakarta (UMBY), in collaboration with the Sedayu Subdistrict, held a Lentera Cadre Training (Integrated Community Mental Health Services) event. The training took place in the Sedayu Subdistrict Hall and was attended by 57 participants on Monday, October 27, 2025.

The training was a follow-up to a series of training programs held over the previous two years. UMBY Psychology lecturers mentored mental health cadres from various villages within the Sedayu Subdistrict. These cadres received training in basic community mental health services. Through this activity, it is hoped that the selected mental health cadres will be able to play an active role as frontline workers in identifying, assisting, and providing initial support to residents experiencing psychological problems in their communities.

"The selected mental health cadres are expected to play an active role as the frontline in identifying, assisting, and providing initial support to residents experiencing psychological problems in their communities," explained Reny Yuniasanti, M.Psi., Ph.D., Psychologist, Head of the Community Service Program and Dean of Psychology at UMBY.

Reny added that the mental health prevention and treatment carried out by these cadres is useful in identifying and providing space for mental health treatment within the limits of their authority.

The Head of Sedayu Sub-district, Anton Yulianto, AP, M.IP., in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of monitoring and promptly addressing mental health issues in Sedayu Sub-district due to the emergence of various mental health cases in the community.

"The mentoring and training provided to these mental health cadres will help the community recognize, manage, and address psychological conditions in their immediate environment," said Anton.

The training participants participated in basic observation and interview techniques facilitated by Martaria Rizky Rinaldi, M.Psi., a lecturer from the UMBY Faculty of Psychology. Martaria provided tips for identifying mental health issues, as well as the analysis and conclusion process for mapping mental health conditions.

In her presentation, Martaria explained a basic introduction to counseling, including an understanding of counseling, the boundaries of the role of cadres in the counseling process, and five basic principles that must be applied in counseling. These five basic principles are empathy, non-judgment, confidentiality, active listening, and a focus on strengths and solutions.

"Counseling is not about giving advice or blaming, but rather helping someone understand their problem, think more clearly, and find the right steps to overcome it," explained Martaria.

Furthermore, Jelang Hardika, M.Psi., a lecturer in the UMBY Faculty of Psychology, presented an introduction to basic counseling for non-psychologists. Jelang outlined methods for conducting basic counseling, including techniques for exploring problems, generating insights, and encouraging people to agree to consultations.

Jelang explained that gaining insight is achieved through a warm and empathetic interview process, where counselors help residents recognize the connection between their own feelings, thoughts, and behavior. This is achieved by using open-ended questions such as "What usually makes you feel better?" or "What's been making things difficult lately?", as well as summarizing and reaffirming understanding so residents can see their issues more clearly.

"Counselors can help individuals find new understanding of themselves, not by giving advice, but by facilitating reflection and self-awareness," Jelang explained.

This Community Service Program was initiated by Reny Yuniasanti, M.Psi., Ph.D., Psychologist, as the chairperson. The group also includes Dr. Sheilla Varadilla Peristianto, M.Psi., Psychologist, Dewi Soerna Anggraeni, M.Psi., Psychologist, and Komang Mahadewi Sandiasih, M.Psi., Psychologist. The activity provides a forum for cadres to learn from each other and strengthen their support network in the Sedayu area.

Sri Suryanti, one of the Mental Health Cadres from Argorejo, expressed her hope that similar training could be carried out continuously, so that the knowledge and skills acquired could continue to be developed and applied in mental health service activities in the community.