Universitas Indonesia (UI) inaugurated Prof. Dr. Mustikasari, S.Kp., M.A.R.S., as Professor in the field of Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing (FIK) at Balai Sidang, UI Depok Campus, on Wednesday, December 11. At the inauguration led by UI Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., Prof. Mustikasari delivered her inaugural speech titled “Ketangguhan Perawat Menghadapi Trauma Psikososial pada Kondisi Bencana” (Nurses’ Resilience in Facing Psychosocial Trauma in Disaster Conditions) and became UI’s 40th professor inaugurated in 2024.
In her speech, she explained that a disaster is a very complex event, involving many dimensions of human life, not only physically, but also psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Although simple, the word ‘disaster’ can have a very deep meaning, depending on the experience and perspective of the individual experiencing it.
Prof. Mustikasari said that for people who have never experienced a disaster directly, the word is commonplace. However, for those who have felt its impact, disasters can have a huge impact, affecting their emotions, mental conditions, and social relationships.
She further said that psychological reactions that are often experienced include stress, trauma, anxiety, and even difficulty in living daily life after a disaster. Disasters not only damage the physical or environment, but also leave deep traces in the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of each individual who experiences them. For this reason, disaster management consists of several stages, and one of the most important aspects is meeting basic needs and post-disaster reconstruction. In this case, health services have a crucial role, and nurses are one of the main resources in the health system.
“Nurses are at the forefront of providing services including in disaster conditions. The competence of nurses who work in disaster-stricken areas must be able to work quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Nurses are always present and play an important role in disaster situations,” said Prof. Mustikasari.
She added that the role of nurses in disaster situations is not only limited to providing physical care, but also to support the psychosocial aspects of disaster victims. They often interact directly with affected communities, provide emotional support, and assist them in the recovery process. Nurses play a very important role in every stage of disaster management, both during the disaster (emergency response), recovery period, and reconstruction, to ensure that the health needs of the community can be optimally met.
In disaster conditions, nurses not only serve as health service providers, but also often act as disaster victims (survivors). This is especially true for nurses who work and live in disaster-affected areas. Although they are also personally affected, nurses are still required to provide health services professionally, in accordance with the Nurses’ Code of Ethics.
However, Prof. Mustikasari said that in disaster conditions, survivor nurses actually experience physical and psychological fatigue due to the accumulation of fear, anxiety, and unresolved loss. However, even in these stressful conditions, nurses must continue to serve people who need help, often without paying attention to what they are feeling. If this condition continues for too long without support, nurses can experience psychosocial trauma, which risks affecting their mental health.
Meanwhile, in reality, many nurses show extraordinary resilience in facing these challenges. This resilience is reflected in their ability to adapt well to the various risks and problems that arise during a disaster. Finally, this encourages nurses to carry out psychosocial adaptation. This adaptation is a process in which individuals try to adjust to the psychosocial changes that occur in themselves, either due to a disaster or other changes experienced.
Seeing the importance of the role of nurses and also the demands of their resilience in carrying out professional duties in disaster conditions, Prof. Mustikasari said that it is appropriate for the government and all related parties to work together to increase the capacity of Indonesian nurses, especially in disaster management. This involves not only training and developing technical competencies, but also support for the mental health and social welfare of nurses.
Therefore, it is important for the government and related institutions to provide special training for nurses who will be assigned to disaster-prone areas, so that they are ready to face any emergency conditions more effectively and efficiently. In addition, improving the welfare of nurses, from more decent wages to the provision of health facilities and psychosocial support, must be a priority. Increasing the capacity and welfare of Indonesian nurses will create health workers who are not only competent, but also highly resilient, ready to provide the best service to communities affected by disasters.
Prof. Mustikasari, who is familiarly called Titi, has researched and written extensively on psychiatric nursing in disasters. Several of her scientific works have been published in reputable journals and have been a resource person in disaster seminars, as well as being involved in disaster management efforts in various regions in Indonesia.
Before being appointed as a professor, Prof. Mustikasari underwent undergraduate to doctoral education at UI. In 1996, she completed her education at FIK UI. Then, she completed her master’s program at the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia in 2003. Then she returned to FIK and successfully obtained a Doctorate in Nursing in 2013. Also present at her inauguration were the General Chairperson of Dewan Pengurus Pusat Persatuan Perawat Nasional Indonesia (DPP PPNI, or Central Executive Board of the Indonesian National Nurses Association), Dr. Harif Fadhillah, SKp., SH., MH., M.Kep.; General Treasurer of the DPP PPNI, Ners. Aprisunadi, S.Kep., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB, MAB.; and the Main Secretary of Basarnas, Dr. Abdul Haris Achadi, SH, DES.
