NERS NEWS — Surabaya — Students of the Bachelor of Nursing Program at Universitas Airlangga conducted a health education session and Group Activity Therapy (Terapi Aktivitas Kelompok/TAK) at Barrack B of UPTD Liponsos Keputih Surabaya on Wednesday (June 3, 2026). This activity aimed to improve the knowledge, motivation, and abilities of patients with mental disorders in performing personal hygiene independently as part of efforts to enhance their quality of life and overall health.
The activity began with a health education session on the importance of self-care, which included bathing, brushing teeth, washing hair, washing hands, maintaining nail hygiene, and dressing neatly. The material was delivered interactively through lectures, demonstrations, and return demonstrations using presentation media, leaflets, and personal hygiene equipment. Participants were encouraged to understand the potential consequences of poor personal hygiene on both physical and psychosocial health.
Following the educational session, the activity continued with perception stimulation Group Activity Therapy (TAK) through a personal hygiene picture-guessing game. In this activity, participants took turns drawing picture cards featuring personal hygiene tools along with instruction cards requiring them to mention the name of the item, explain its function, identify the appropriate time for its use, or demonstrate how to use it. The atmosphere was lively and enthusiastic, as participants actively engaged in answering questions and performing simple demonstrations in front of the group.
Aprilivia Alfiatun Nikmah, as the Person in Charge of the Educational Session, stated that education regarding personal hygiene is one of the essential efforts to enhance the independence of patients with mental disorders. “Self-care is a basic need that is often impaired in patients with mental health problems. Through this educational activity, we hope participants will better understand the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, enabling them to improve their health, comfort, and self-confidence in their daily lives,” she said.
During the Group Activity Therapy session, Muhammad Dendi Priatna, as the TAK Leader, explained that a game-based approach was chosen to make the learning process more enjoyable and easier for participants to understand. “Through the picture-guessing game, participants not only learn to recognize personal hygiene tools but also practice remembering their functions and how to use them. Group activities like this can improve concentration, social interaction, and motivate participants to become more independent in taking care of themselves,” he explained.
One participant admitted to enjoying the entire series of activities provided by the students. “I enjoyed it because the activities were not boring. Today, I was reminded again about how to maintain personal hygiene, and I could play together with my friends. I want to be more diligent about bathing, brushing my teeth, and maintaining cleanliness every day,” the participant said.
This activity represents one form of implementing the role of nursing students in providing health education and psychosocial rehabilitation for patients with mental disorders. Through the combination of educational sessions and group activity therapy, participants not only gained new knowledge but also had the opportunity to practice skills that support independence in daily life.
This activity supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-BeingSDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Through education and group activity therapy, this activity contributes to improving health quality, psychosocial well-being, and the empowerment of patients with mental disorders as part of vulnerable groups within society.
The health education session and Group Activity Therapy conducted at UPTD Liponsos Keputih Surabaya proceeded smoothly and received positive responses from participants. This activity is expected to enhance patients’ motivation and ability to maintain personal hygiene independently, thereby supporting better physical health, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life.
Writer: Muhammad Dendi Priatna
