Semarang, 30 May 2026 – The Psychology Programme at the State University of Semarang (UNNES) is holding an open lecture on Social Psychology online on Saturday (30 May). The event was held via the Zoom Meeting platform and featured Dr Trisnasari Fraser, a community psychologist from Australia, as the guest speaker. The lecture covered various contemporary social psychology issues, ranging from cross-cultural music approaches to suicide postvention, and the importance of collaboration between institutions and community groups in creating inclusive environments.
The event was attended by UNNES psychology students and was open to students from various other universities with an interest in social psychology, particularly in sociocultural and community studies. Through comprehensive presentations, participants were invited to understand how cultural integration can create harmony in social environments, fostering a sense of solidarity and belonging while eliminating discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and religion.
Dr Trisnasari Fraser explained that cultural identity plays a vital role in forming healthy social relationships and supporting individual well-being. One effective approach to strengthening relationships between individuals and groups is through the arts, particularly music. Music is seen as a medium that can bridge cultural differences and create a more open space for interaction between different groups in society.
Through the concept of intercultural music, individuals from different cultural backgrounds can get to know each other, appreciate each other’s cultures, and develop a shared understanding. Akulturasi budaya yang terjadi melalui seni lebih mudah diterima oleh masyarakat karena bersifat universal dan dekat dengan kehidupan sehari-hari. Therefore, art not only functions as a source of entertainment, but also as a tool that can strengthen social cohesion.
In addition to discussing the musical approach of different cultures, this lecture also addresses the issue of suicide postvention, a relatively new approach. It recognises that suicide is not only an action that needs to be prevented, but also requires follow-up after the event, with the aim of preventing it from happening again and providing support for communities affected by it. In this context, strong social support and the involvement of various parties are important factors in the psychological recovery process. Therefore, collaboration between educational institutions, organisations, communities, and other social groups is essential to create a sustainable support system.
The session continued with an interactive session between Dr Fraser and the attendees, creating a more engaging learning experience that involved active participation and interaction. During this session, several topics were discussed in more depth, with an emphasis on raising awareness of mental health not only through campaigns, but also through cultural approaches and embedding these values in existing, easily understandable local values.
