Rembang – Cross-sectoral synergy to accelerate the reduction of stunting rates has once again been implemented in Rembang Regency. Through a mental health and family resilience approach, 30 participants, consisting of village cadres and youth representatives, participated in the Peer Family Support training: Strengthening the Psychosocial Capacity of Community Cadres Towards Zero New Stunting on Saturday (June 27, 2026).
The community service activity, held at the Sumbergirang Village Hall, Lasem District, was attended by the Head of Sumbergirang Village, Mr. Edy Sunarno, and a representative of the Rembang Branch of PKBI, Harisa Laraswatie, S.Kep., M.Kes. The presence of these figures demonstrates their full support for improving the capacity of cadres at the grassroots level.
This training was initiated and facilitated by a team of lecturers from the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FIPP) at Semarang State University (UNNES). This community service team is led by Hasna’ Pratiwi Kurwardani, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psi., with members Aftina Nurul Husna, S.Psi., M.A., Chamilul Hikam Al Karim, S.Psi., M.Psi., and Tri Hutami Wardoyo, S.Pd., M.Ed.
This event was motivated by the finding that stunting management cannot rely solely on physical nutrition. The stress and psychological pressure experienced by mothers has been shown to directly impact the quality of parenting patterns, feeding discipline, and reluctance to take children to health facilities.
Therefore, this training provides direct benefits in the form of Psychological First Aid (PFA) skills for cadres. Through this material, village cadres are now equipped with appropriate methods for handling family crises through three steps: observing residents’ needs (Look), listening empathetically without lecturing (Listen), and connecting residents to professional health services if needed (Link).
In addition to PFA, participants also gained other technical skills. Cadres are now able to detect early signs of mental disorders using screening methods, understand adolescent psychological dynamics to facilitate communication within families, and are skilled at creating visual educational media using artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize outreach.
The Head of the Community Service Team, Hasna’ Pratiwi Kurwardani, expressed high hopes for this activity. She emphasized that the role of cadres in the community is now increasingly crucial and expanding.
“The hope is that the role of cadres will no longer be limited to simply weighing toddlers, but will also be truly present and possess strong communication skills to respond to community concerns. With cadres who are able to maintain privacy and non-judgmental about mothers’ parenting styles, it is hoped that psychological stability will be created within families. If parents are mentally healthy, parenting will be optimal, and the goal of realizing a village with Zero New Stunting can be achieved,” Hasna hoped.
