Recognize and Address Mental Health Issues in Teenagers: Encouraging the Growth of Students’ Creativity

Tuban, September 23, 2025 – Mental health has become a major concern over the past five years. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. This issue is not only experienced by adults but also affects children and adolescents.

According to WHO, globally 1 in 7 children aged 10–19 years experience mental health issues, with the most common being anxiety disorders, affecting more than 28% of teenagers. This certainly requires serious attention from all stakeholders, as the greatest impact of mental health disorders on adolescents is the decline in academic performance and the inhibition of creativity development—both of which are crucial as they represent the future generation of the nation.

Ciptari Dhienda Aurellya, a clinical psychologist focusing on adolescent and women’s mental health, stated that teenagers aged 12–18 are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. This occurs because during this period, adolescents go through a “storm phase,” marked by emotional turbulence as part of their transition from childhood to adulthood. Dhienda, as she is commonly called, shared this insight during the Grass Root Refinery (GRR) Tuban Goes to School 2025 event at SMA Manbail Huda, Kaliuntu Village, Jenu District, Tuban Regency, on Monday morning (22/09/2025), which carried the theme Mental Health Awareness.

“In addition to the storm phase, teenagers also experience a phase of searching for identity and their role within their immediate environment. Therefore, they still need guidance from those closest to them, such as family, parents, and teachers at school. If they do not receive proper direction during this phase, they are highly vulnerable to environmental pressures arising from social, family, and academic factors,” Dhienda added.

The mental health awareness session for teenagers received positive responses. Silvi, a 12th-grade student at SMA Manbail Huda, expressed the importance of this program organized by PRPP, saying that it broadened her knowledge about adolescent mental health and helped her better manage herself to address potential mental health challenges in the future.

Similarly, Salma, another 12th-grade student, said that the session encouraged her to understand herself better so she could respond to challenges more positively.

Meanwhile, Yuli Witantra, Sr. CSR Officer of PRPP, emphasized in a separate session the company’s role as the executor of one of Indonesia’s national strategic projects in energy independence—GRR Tuban—in supporting the development of the younger generation around the project area in Jenu District.

“The young generation in Tuban is a national asset for supporting future development. Mental health disorders pose a latent danger that can diminish the potential and creativity of children, preventing them from developing optimally both physically and mentally. Yet, they are expected to contribute to our nation’s vision of Indonesia Emas 2045,” Yuli explained.

As part of the GRR Tuban Goes to School program, PRPP also introduced the GRR Tuban project to participants, presented by Vladislav Smetanin, PRPP Compliance Manager. In addition, Sandi Dumara, PRPP HSSE Petrochemical Complex Manager, delivered practical tips on building mental resilience to cope with stress.

Beyond SMA Manbail Huda, the GRR Tuban Goes to School program was also held at SMK Manbail Futuh, Beji Village, on Tuesday (23/09/2025). This initiative is part of PRPP and the GRR Tuban Project’s regular activities aimed at developing education for the younger generation around the company’s project area. More than 170 students participated in the 2025 GRR Tuban Goes to School program, reflecting PRPP’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG No. 4 on Quality Education and SDG No. 3 on Good Health and Well-being, with a special focus on mental health education for adolescents.