YOGYAKARTA — As mental health concerns rise among young people, particularly university students, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta brought together scholars from different religious traditions to discuss holistic approaches to mental well-being in higher education.
The discussion took place on March 14, 2026, as part of the 17th Interfaith School (Sekolah Lintas Iman/SLI), a collaborative program organized by the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) of UIN Sunan Kalijaga in partnership with Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana, Universitas Sanata Dharma, and the interfaith institute DIAN/Interfidei.
The session, titled “Religion and Mental Health in the Digital Era: Challenges and Holistic Approaches in Faith-Based Universities,” was held at the Smart Room of FUPI and attended mainly by students from the Religious Studies program.
Speakers representing different religious perspectives included Rev. Nani Minarni of Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana, Catholic priest Romo Y.B. Prasetyantha of Universitas Sanata Dharma, and Roni Ismail, a lecturer at UIN Sunan Kalijaga.
From an Islamic perspective, Roni Ismail highlighted the concept of Qalbun Salim, or a purified heart, as a foundation for mental well-being, emphasizing spiritual processes such as cleansing negative traits, cultivating positive virtues, and developing awareness of the divine.
Rev. Nani Minarni described how Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana applies a Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual (BPSS) framework in student support services, integrating pastoral care with professional psychological and psychiatric assistance.
Romo Y.B. Prasetyantha addressed the challenges of “Homo Digitalis,” noting that many young people spend significant time on social media, which can contribute to anxiety and depression. Through the concept of cybertheology, he said digital spaces can also serve as arenas for spiritual reflection when approached critically.
UIN Sunan Kalijaga Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation, Prof. Abdur Rozaki, said the program offers students an important platform to learn from diverse religious perspectives while addressing contemporary social issues such as mental health.
FUPI Dean Prof. Robby Habiba Abror added that interfaith dialogue in academic settings helps students understand religious diversity while exploring how spiritual values can contribute to addressing human challenges in modern society