SURAKARTA, March 31, 2026 – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing scientific knowledge relevant to societal needs, particularly concerning mental health issues grounded in Islamic values. This commitment was reflected in presentations by academics from the UMS Faculty of Psychology, who emphasized the vital importance of integrating spiritual aspects into psychological treatment, especially for addressing depression within the Muslim community.
Overcoming the Crisis of Meaning with the Islamic Mindfulness Model (IMM)
Setiyo Purwanto, S.Psi., M.Si., Ph.D., asserted that depression is not merely a behavioral issue, but rather a crisis of life’s meaning.
“Many individuals lose their sense of direction and purpose, ultimately leaving them feeling disconnected from the very meaning of life itself,” Setiyo stated on Tuesday (March 31).
He further highlighted that depression has become a serious global mental health crisis, particularly among young adults. This condition is frequently characterized by a high tendency for overthinking and a profound sense of alienation—both from oneself and from the surrounding environment.
According to Setiyo, although various existing clinical approaches—such as behavioral activation and mindfulness—have proven medically effective, there are still limitations that must be addressed. One of the primary shortcomings is the minimal involvement of the spiritual dimension. Many current psychological models tend to be secular, constructing the meaning of life independently without incorporating the divine dimension. This is deemed less suitable for Muslim individuals, who consistently place faith at the center of their lives.
As a solution, Setiyo proposed the Islamic Mindfulness Model (IMM), an approach that harmonizes psychological awareness with the values of faith. Through this model, mindfulness is no longer self-centered but directed toward Allah SWT., allowing various life experiences to be interpreted through a spiritual lens.
The IMM framework is built upon three foundational pillars that generate three layers of clinical treatment:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Theory: Helps generate attention regulation for the patient.
- Meaning Making: Aims to structure and reconstruct the meaning of life.
- Religious Coping: Activates trust-oriented values (amanah) as a manifestation of spiritual responsibility.
Cultural Adaptation Through Behavioral Activation for Muslim (BA-M)
Meanwhile, Lusi Nuryanti, S.Psi., M.Si., Ph.D., alongside Bayu Suseno, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist, presented on the development of Behavioral Activation for Muslim (BA-M). This method serves as an adapted psychological intervention designed specifically to meet the needs of the highly religious Muslim population in Indonesia.
“The high rates of depression in Indonesia, particularly among the youth, served as a crucial backdrop for the development of BA-M,” Lusi emphasized.
She also highlighted the public’s continued reluctance to seek professional help. This situation indicates that the community requires psychological approaches that resonate closely with their daily lives and are more easily embraced culturally.
In practice, BA-M assists patients in re-engaging with meaningful activities that align with Islamic teachings. This therapeutic process is conducted in a gradual and measurable manner, consisting of the following stages:
- Assessment: Comprehensively evaluating the client’s psychological condition.
- Exploration: Delving deeply into the client’s life experiences.
- Activity Scheduling: Designing daily routines rooted in religious values.
Bayu Suseno added that the implementation of BA-M has demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms, alongside an increase in the clients’ daily productivity.
“This approach is also supplemented with a self-therapy module and a practical guidebook that can be utilized by various professionals,” Bayu concluded.
