A group of creative students at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) have taken a unique approach within their campus to boost their peers’ mental well-being. As part of a Leadership course project, these students have strategically placed motivational cards at several bus stops around the campus for others to pick up freely. These cards contain messages designed to help individuals accept themselves and encourage a positive outlook on life.
Aditya Pratama, a Social Anthropology student, shared that the initiative stemmed from concerns over the high rates of mental health issues among students. To draw attention, the cards are brightly colored. The project, named Card to Everyone, not only aims to provide motivation but also to foster a sense of caring among the student community. Vicky Rifai Adriansyah, another student, explained that the project has helped them become more empathetic towards others, noting that one significant cause of mental health problems is the feeling of isolation among students. In addition to distributing these cards, the student group has also set up an Instagram account @spread.positiveness to continuously share uplifting messages aimed specifically at students.
The project is overseen by Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, Dr. Irfan, and M. Rifai, MSc., and aims to equip students not just with knowledge but with tools to address challenges. Although it’s a small-scale initiative, it encourages students to think creatively about solving real-world issues.