As Health Awareness Rises, University Explores the Neuroscience Behind the Power of Storytelling

Amidst rising phenomena of loneliness, attention crisis, and increasingly complex mental health challenges in the digital era, storytelling is gaining attention as a means capable of building social connections, strengthening empathy, and supporting psychological well-being. Various neuroscience studies indicate that stories not only influence emotions but also the way humans understand themselves, others, and the world around them.

Responding to this phenomenon, Universitas Bunda Mulia (UBM), through its Communication Science, Psychology, and English Language Study Programmes, held The UBM Studium Generale Series: 026 titled “Narratives That Heal: Storytelling, Communication, and Psychological Well-Being”. The event took place online and on-site at the UBM Ancol Jakarta and UBM Alam Sutra, Serpong campuses.

The hybrid activity brought together around 200 participants in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. The event featured Prof. Gemma Anne Calvert, Professor of Consumer Neuroscience from NTU, who discussed how narrative and storytelling play a role in shaping human experience and supporting mental health from a neuroscience perspective.

“Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of ‘psychological medicine’ possessed by humans. Through stories, we can activate various areas of the brain related to emotion, memory, imagination, and social understanding, thereby building empathy and creating deeper connections between people,” explained Prof. Gemma Anne Calvert. She elaborated on research findings showing that reading for five minutes can help reduce stress levels by up to 20 per cent, improve focus, and strengthen a sense of social connection. Through meaningful narratives, individuals not only gain information but also emotional experiences that contribute to psychological well-being.

Symphony Alkeba Christian, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities at UBM, assessed that Prof. Gemma Anne Calvert’s views affirm that education should not only focus on the transfer of knowledge but also on building empathy, creativity, and human connection. “At Universitas Bunda Mulia, we believe storytelling is an important approach to shaping graduates who are not only academically excellent but also possess the emotional and social intelligence needed in the digital era,” concluded Symphony Alkeba Christian.