Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), through its Faculty of Psychology, has once again reaffirmed its commitment to developing mental health approaches rooted in Islamic values. This commitment was realized by organizing an event titled “Short Version Training of BA-M” on Tuesday (March 31), held in the BPH Seminar Room, 6th Floor of the Siti Walidah Main Building, UMS.
The event was part of a broader series, the Seminar on Religion and Mental Health: Training on Culturally Adapted Behavioral Activation for Muslim Population (BA-M). This program was organized in collaboration between UMS and the University of Leeds, UK, presenting an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach specifically tailored for the Muslim community. The training also featured a leading BA-M expert from the University of Leeds, Prof. Dr. Ghazala Mir.
Strategic Steps in Cultural Adaptation
Lead researcher Lusi Nuryanti, S.Psi., M.Si., Ph.D., Psychologist, stated that adapting the Behavioral Activation for Muslim (BA-M) therapy manual was a strategic move. The goal is to address the need for mental health treatments that align with the cultural and spiritual values of Indonesian society.
“The BA-M manual was originally developed by a research team at the University of Leeds as an evidence-based therapy to help clients experiencing depression. However, given the high rates of depression and the limited availability of culturally sensitive mental health services in Indonesia, an adaptation process was highly necessary so that this therapy could be more easily accepted and effectively implemented within the Muslim community,” Lusi explained.
Furthermore, Lusi elaborated that the adaptation process took three main aspects into consideration: language, culture, and religious practices. Through these adjustments, it is hoped that clients will be more receptive to the therapy, thereby strengthening the overall effectiveness of the psychological treatment provided.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and University Support
The development of BA-M is closely aligned with the mission of the UMS Faculty of Psychology, which is to cultivate psychological sciences rooted in Islamic values and local wisdom to provide tangible benefits to community well-being.
“In its implementation, the development of this manual involved cross-disciplinary and international collaboration. We engaged researchers, translators, reviewers, and research assistants,” she noted.
Additionally, the direct involvement of service users, therapists, and mentors during the trial phase was critical in ensuring the quality and appropriateness of the resulting manual.
The research and development of the BA-M manual received full backing from UMS through the International Collaborative Research (RKI) Program. This serves as a concrete manifestation of the institution’s commitment to fostering collaborative research that delivers a positive impact, both locally and globally.
Therapeutic Focus and Field Challenges
During the training presentation, it was explained that Behavioral Activation (BA) is a therapeutic method focusing on:
- Scheduling meaningful activities for the client.
- Problem-solving.
- Reducing avoidance behavior and suppressing negative thoughts.
“This approach has been scientifically proven to have an effectiveness rate on par with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating depression,” Lusi revealed.
Another key advantage of the BA-M approach is the integration of problem-solving aspects with religious coping—both in positive and negative forms—which are deeply intertwined with the daily lives of the Muslim community. This integration is expected to build mental resilience and assist individuals in facing life’s pressures in a more adaptive way.
Despite its advantages, the training also explored various real-world challenges encountered when applying this therapy in the field. Common obstacles include low client commitment, reliance on medication, and inconsistency in attending therapy sessions.
“Therefore, appropriate and careful strategies from therapists are required to ensure the intervention process is successful,” she concluded.
