The Effectiveness of Counseling Pojok Cerita (Po'rita) in Maintaining Mental Health of Adolescent

Abstract

Adolescent mental health including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis is a serious public health challenge because it can affect fundamental aspects of human life. One effort that can be made to maintain mental health is through counselling as an intervention to solve mental problems. The aim of this research was to see the effectiveness of counselling Pojok Cerita (Po'rita) in maintaining the mental health of teenagers. The research used a pre and post-test research design with a population of class X and XI students. Before the counselling session, mental health screening was conducted using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). Out of 93 respondents, 43 students exhibited symptoms of mental health problems. The sampling technique employed was purposive sampling, targeting only students with identified mental health issues. Data were analysed using the Paired T-test. Before the counselling, all 43 students (100%) showed symptoms of neurosis (psychological issues), 37 (86%) exhibited psychotic symptoms, and all 43 students (100%) displayed symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After the counselling, 19 (44%) still showed symptoms of neurosis, 17 (39%) still exhibited psychotic symptoms, and 18 (42%) continued to display PTSD symptoms. There was a significant reduction in the number of students experiencing mental health problems post-counselling, with a p-value of 0.00<0.05. The Pojok Cerita (Po'rita) counselling program is effective in maintaining the mental health of teenagers at SMA Negeri 1 Kebomas. It is recommended that the Po'rita counselling program collaborate with school counselling services to provide therapeutic interventions for adolescent mental health issues.