Addressing Suicidal Ideation in the Digital Era: The Influence of Telecounseling Services Among University Students in Indonesia

Thika Marliana; Dilara Sert Kasim; Desmiwati Desmiwati; Ramadhani Ulansari; Asisi Ricky Bayu Styanto; Dewi Nawang Sari

doi:10.55927/fjst.v5i2.7

Authors

Thika Marliana Faculty of Health Sciences, Respati Indonesia University
Dilara Sert Kasim Nursing Department, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Turki
Desmiwati Desmiwati Faculty of Information Technology, Respati Indonesia University
Ramadhani Ulansari Faculty of Information Technology, Respati Indonesia University
Asisi Ricky Bayu Styanto Faculty of Information Technology, Respati Indonesia University
Dewi Nawang Sari Faculty of Health Sciences, Respati Indonesia University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i2.7

Keywords:

Telecounseling, Mental Health Nursing, Suicidal Ideation, Self-Diagnosis, University Students.

Abstract

Low mental health literacy among university students in Indonesia remains a critical concern, contributing to maladaptive coping mechanisms such as self-diagnosis, self-harm tendencies, and increased suicidal ideation. In the digital era, telecounseling services have emerged as a potential mental health nursing intervention to address these challenges by improving access to psychological support. This study aimed to examine the influence of mental health telecounseling services on suicidal behavior intensity and self-diagnosis tendencies among university students in Indonesia. A quantitative approach was employed involving 174 university students who participated in a telecounseling-based mental health service delivered through a mobile application. Data were collected to assess levels of self-diagnosis behavior, self-harm tendencies, and suicidal behavior, and comparative analyses were conducted between students who accessed telecounseling services and those who did not. The findings demonstrated that students who engaged in telecounseling experienced a significantly greater reduction in suicidal behavior intensity compared to non-users. Similarly, a more pronounced decrease in self-diagnosis behavior was observed among students who accessed telecounseling services. These results indicate that telecounseling plays a meaningful role in mitigating mental health risk behaviors among university students. In conclusion, telecounseling services represent an effective mental health nursing strategy to reduce suicidal ideation and maladaptive self-diagnosis practices, while simultaneously strengthening mental health literacy. This study contributes to the development of accessible, technology-based mental health interventions within higher education settings and supports the integration of telecounseling into campus mental health services

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