BANDUNG, UNIKOM — On Monday, December 8, 2025, the Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM), held a guest lecture themed “Communication About Mental Health” at the Miracle Auditorium, 4th Floor, UNIKOM Campus I, featuring international academic speaker and Australian social and mental health expert Prof. Debbie Plath.
This event was a collaboration between the Communication Science and the Directorate of International Programs of UNIKOM, supported by Australian Volunteers and Australian Aid. This collaboration opened global learning opportunities for students while strengthening international academic networks on issues of mental health and professional communication.
In this lecture, Prof. Debbie Plath, known as a professor of social work and head of school (human services) at the Ikon Institute of Australia and a lecturer at Newcastle University, presented various crucial issues regarding mental health that are relevant to the world of communication. She explained the latest understanding of mental health and its disorders, global prevalence, and how effective communication can play an important role in supporting the recovery of individuals facing psychological pressure.
Prof. Plath also highlighted how the development of digital technology has had a dual impact on mental health. In addition to causing stress and sleep disorders when used excessively, digital technology also presents opportunities in the provision of telehealth-based mental health services and various psychological well-being support applications. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of balancing the digital world with physical activity in open spaces, which has been proven to have a positive effect on mood and emotional health.
The public lecture became even more interesting when Prof. Plath presented a case study of Lifeline Australia, a national service that focuses on suicide prevention through supportive communication and appropriate intervention. Through this presentation, students were invited to understand how communication practices can save lives, as well as the principles of non-discriminatory and empathetic communication that must be applied in various professional contexts.
The lecture continued with an interactive discussion where students had the opportunity to ask questions, particularly regarding the role of communication in the digital age and strategies for delivering sensitive messages related to mental health, guided by a lecturer from the Communication Science, Tine Agustin Wulandari, M.I.Kom, as the moderator.
Through this guest lecture, UNIKOM reaffirmed its commitment to build an academic environment that is responsive to global issues while equipping students with research-based insights and practical experience. This event is expected to encourage the growth of mental health literacy among students and create wise, empathetic, and professional communicators. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)