Mental health issues are increasingly important because they significantly impact people's quality of life. Not only in urban areas, but rural residents also face psychological stress due to economic problems, family conflicts, and natural disasters. Unfortunately, most villages still lack mental health services, and many lack specialized cadres.

To address this challenge, a community service team from Mercu Buana University Yogyakarta (UMBY) held Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for integrated health post (Posyandu) cadres in Karangduwet Village, Kapenawon Paliyan, Gunungkidul, on Friday, October 17, 2025. The program was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia through the Community Service (PkM) scheme. The PKM team was chaired by Kondang Budiyani, M.A., Psychologist, and included Ros Patriani Dewi, M.Psi., Psychologist, and Eka Aryani, M.Pd.

Held in the Karangduwet Village meeting hall, 50 Posyandu cadres participated in the training to improve their mental health skills. On this occasion, the Community Service Program (PKM) team presented Ardi Primasari, M.Psi., Psychologist, a Psychology lecturer at UMBY and founder of the Prima Consultant Psychological Consultation Bureau, as a resource person.

Kondang Budiyani explained that the integrated health post (Posyandu) cadres were empowered to become mental health (Keswa) cadres, as the village had previously lacked them.

"We want Posyandu cadres to not only play a role in maintaining the physical health of the community, especially mothers and children, but also to be able to act as a vanguard capable of providing psychological support. The presence of Keswa cadres is crucial for creating a village that is more aware of mental health," she explained.

Ardi Primasari introduced the concept of Psychological First Aid and conducted a role play to help the cadres understand it. Psychological First Aid is a basic skill that cadres need to possess to provide first aid to someone experiencing psychological distress. Primasari, as she is familiarly known, emphasized that empathetic communication skills and basic psychosocial support strategies can be used to manage mental health.

Empathic communication focuses on listening to others rather than judging them based on their experiences. The cadres' skills in empathetic communication, besides being a source of social support for those assisted, also have a healing effect.

"When we are under pressure and there is someone who understands our situation, is non-judgmental, and is willing to listen, it actually has a relieving, healing, restorative, and strengthening effect. Therefore, the community can immediately contact the community health cadres for first aid. If the situation worsens, they can use BPJS facilities to consult a psychologist. Don't be shy and don't hesitate to talk," said Primasari.

The event was also attended by the Head of Karangduwet, Budi Paliyanto, and his staff. Their presence demonstrated their full support for strengthening the cadres' capacity.

"We strongly support this activity because mental health is often neglected. With the presence of community health cadres, the community can get initial help as soon as possible," said Budi Paliyanto.

Budi added that through this training, Karangduwet Village hopes to establish a community-based mental health network that can serve as a model for other villages in Gunungkidul.

The cadres welcomed this activity positively.

"So far, we have focused more on maternal and child health. After participating in the training, we now know how to provide support to residents experiencing stress or problems," explained Lanjar Mujiyati, Head of the Community Health Cadres.

Kondang Budiyani also revealed that her team is currently developing a mobile application called KeswaCare. The KeswaCare application aims to equip Keswa Cadres with digital tools to support their work in the field. The application contains PFA educational materials as a basic guide for providing psychological first aid, Keswa Cadre profiles, a visit logbook for recording community support activities in a structured manner, and a referral form that makes it easier for cadres to report cases to health workers or community health centers.

"The KeswaCare application is a solution for cadres because their activities are more focused, documented, and easily monitored by the support team and relevant health agencies," said Kondang Budiyani.