The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), organized an art therapy with the theme “Mindful Creation: Unlocking Peace with Art Therapy” to maintain students’ mental health. Held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Learning Center Hall and managed by the Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU), the event provided a platform for students to express their emotions through painting. It was also part of the celebration of World Health Day, which is observed annually on October 10.
Bayu Sutikno, S.E., M.S.M., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, expressed FEB’s commitment to creating a healthy campus for the entire academic community. Numerous initiatives and programs have been implemented to support FEB UGM’s goal of becoming a healthy and wellness-focused campus, including art therapy sessions for students.
“At FEB, we are always committed to ensuring our students’ mental and physical well-being. We hope that this event will run smoothly and successfully and that we can all live happy and healthy lives,” said Bayu.
Dozens of FEB UGM students participated in the Art Therapy session. Before the therapy session began, the participants were guided through a relaxation exercise led by CSDU psychologist Atikah Dian Rahmawati. In this session, Atikah introduced the Butterfly Hug Technique, a psychological tool that involves bilateral stimulation by hugging oneself and tapping both shoulders with the fingertips. This technique is designed to help release emotional tension, allowing participants to feel more relaxed and calm before painting.
After the relaxation session, the participants were divided into four small groups. In these groups, students were encouraged to express their emotions through painting on canvas. The painting theme was open-ended, allowing students to visualize their emotions, and no prior drawing skills were required. The focus was on emotional expression through art.
Atikah emphasized that participants could use advanced drawing skills for the Art Therapy session. The process was about freely expressing the emotions they were feeling.
“Do you need to know how to paint to participate in art therapy? The answer is no. The painting process is free and based on the emotions you want to express,” she explained.
After the painting session, participants were encouraged to share the emotions and stories behind their paintings. This closed sharing session was conducted in small groups, followed by a joint reflection session for all participants.
The art therapy received positive feedback from the FEB UGM students. Ghiyats Thariq Al-Haq, an accounting student from the class of 2022, expressed his hope for the art therapy session.
“I hope we can understand ourselves better and feel more joyful after this,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Virdzha, a management student from the class of 2023, was happy about the event, especially after finishing midterms. She mentioned that art therapy became a healing outlet after the exhausting exam. “I’m happy because I get to heal, gain insight, and have fun with my friends,” Virdzha said.
Zaidan, an economics major from the Class of 2023, also shared his thoughts after participating in art therapy. He noted that the session allowed him to connect with many friends, hear different stories, and reflect together. “After listening to my friends’ stories, I realized there are always positive and negative sides to every situation. It made me understand that life needs balance – without the negative, the positive wouldn’t exist,” he said.
Art therapy is expected to provide FEB UGM students with a space to relieve stress and mental fatigue from their academic workload. In addition, this activity encourages students to release tension through positive activities and to share their feelings with those closest to them. Students with mental health concerns are encouraged to utilize CSDU’s non-academic counseling services.
Reportase: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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