In commemoration of World Bipolar Day, the Unit for Consultation, Disability Services, Discipline Enforcement, and Student Ethics (UPT LKDPDEM) of Diponegoro University organized an event titled “Bipolar Awareness: From Stigma to Support” on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The event, held at 1:00 PM (WIB) in the Conference Hall, 5th Floor of the ICT Building, served as both an educational platform and an open discussion space for students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of mental health issues, particularly bipolar disorder.
Interestingly, the educational atmosphere was already evident even before the event began. Alongside the attendance registration process, DSCW UNDIP volunteers actively provided brief information about bipolar disorder to participants entering the venue. This initiative marked an important first step in raising awareness and building understanding from the very beginning of the participants’ experience.
The event was officially opened by the Director of Student Affairs and Alumni of UNDIP, Edy Surahmad, S.Pd., M.Si., who emphasized the importance of fostering collective awareness of mental health within the campus environment. In his remarks, he highlighted that students need proper understanding to help reduce stigma and provide meaningful support to individuals experiencing mental health disorders.
The main session began with the first speaker, dr. Fanti Saktini, M.Si.Med., Sp.K.J., AHK, who delivered a presentation titled “Let’s Fight The Label: Unlocking and Walking Together Through The Stigma.” In her session, she invited participants to understand bipolar disorder from a scientific perspective while challenging the negative stigma that still exists in society.
The next session was delivered by Anis Luthfiyah, S.Psi., M.Psi., a bipolar survivor. Through her presentation titled “You Are Seen: Living and Learning with Bipolar,” she shared her personal experiences and offered a more empathetic perspective on living with bipolar disorder. Her story inspired participants by showing that individuals with bipolar can still lead productive lives when supported appropriately.
Participants showed high enthusiasm throughout the event, as reflected in the number of questions raised and their active engagement during the discussion sessions. This demonstrated a strong interest in gaining deeper insight into bipolar issues and the importance of social support.
The event was moderated by Sesilia Chaterine Susana Wenehenubun, a Psychology student at UNDIP currently undertaking an internship at UPT LKDPDEM, who successfully maintained an interactive and engaging discussion atmosphere.
Through this event, UPT LKDPDEM UNDIP hopes to increase awareness and reduce stigma toward bipolar disorder within the campus community. More than that, this initiative represents a concrete step toward fostering a culture of care, where every individual feels seen, understood, and supported in their mental health journey.
(UPT LKDPDEM Team/Keyy)