UNG Expert Develops NIAR Model to Reduce Depression Risk Among Students
The dissertation produced offers an innovation that is relevant to the challenge of mental health in higher education settings.
Gorontalo (ANTARA) - The Faculty of Sport and Health at Universitas Negeri Gorontalo (UNG) has added to its number of doctoral-degree holders, including Dr Yuniar, whose doctoral research successfully developed the NIAR model to reduce the risk of depression among students.
Yuniar succeeded in developing an innovative approach designed to reduce the risk of depression and suicidal ideation among university students.
Speaking in Gorontalo on Thursday, Yuniar said the model was born out of concern over the growing mental health problems among students, which require comprehensive, preventive and sustained handling.
The NIAR model integrates four main strategies: Nurturing Relationship, Identifying Suicide Ideation, Adaptive Coping Enhancement, and Resilience.
These four components are designed to strengthen the role of lecturers, particularly Academic Adviser Lecturers, in supporting students in a more humane and responsive way towards the psychological problems they face.
The mentoring is carried out by building supportive relationships and recognising early the signs of emerging suicidal ideation.
It then helps students develop adaptive coping mechanisms and strengthens their resilience so they are able to face the various pressures encountered during their studies.
UNG Rector Professor Eduart Wolok commended Dr Yuniar on completing her doctoral education.
According to him, the achievement is tangible proof of UNG lecturers’ commitment to improving academic competence whilst producing scholarly works that offer solutions to real problems in society.
“More than that, the dissertation she has produced offers an innovation that is relevant to the mental health challenges in higher education environments,” said Professor Eduart Wolok.
He expressed hope that the achievement can inspire the UNG academic community to continue improving their competence, strengthening the research culture, and producing innovations that make a real contribution to national development.
With the increase in doctoral-degree holders in the UNG Nursing Study Programme, the Rector said he was optimistic about improving the quality of education, strengthening research capacity, and producing competent graduates capable of meeting the challenges of the health sector.