Pekanbaru — The Faculty of Psychology has received an award from the Riau Regional Police (Polda Riau) for its significant contribution to trauma healing efforts for flood victims in West Sumatra Province. This award was presented as a form of appreciation for the active involvement of the Faculty of Psychology’s academic community in post-disaster humanitarian missions.
During the operation, the Faculty of Psychology deployed six trained students to serve as psychosocial volunteers. These students played a vital role in providing emotional counseling, psychological recovery activities, and psychosocial support to flood victims, focusing particularly on children and vulnerable groups affected by the disaster.
The Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Dr. Sigit Nugroho, M.Psi., Psychologist, stated that this award recognizes the academic world’s role in supporting the community during times of crisis. He emphasized that student involvement in humanitarian activities is not only a form of community service but also an essential real-world learning experience.
“We are grateful and appreciate this award from the Riau Regional Police. This serves as motivation for the Faculty of Psychology to continue contributing to the management of the psychological impacts of disasters. Students do not only learn in the classroom; they also learn about empathy, care, and social responsibility directly within the community,” said the Dean.
Furthermore, the Dean expressed hope that collaboration between universities, the police, and various stakeholders would continue to strengthen, especially regarding the mental health of disaster victims.
“Looking ahead, we hope this synergy continues and becomes even more systematic, ensuring that post-disaster trauma management can be carried out more quickly, accurately, and sustainably. The Faculty of Psychology is ready to be a strategic partner in the community’s psychological recovery efforts,” he added.
This award serves as evidence that psychology plays a crucial role in disaster management, specifically in helping victims recover mentally and emotionally, as well as strengthening the psychological resilience of the community in the aftermath of a disaster.