BIBLIOTHERAPY AND THE ROLE OF LIBRARIANS AS MENTAL HEALTH FACILITATORS

Arianti Elsa Candra; Ursa Agniya; Verry Mardiyanto

doi:10.30829/jipi.v10i2.27856

BIBLIOTHERAPY AND THE ROLE OF LIBRARIANS AS MENTAL HEALTH FACILITATORS

Arianti Elsa Candra, Ursa Agniya, Verry Mardiyanto

Abstract

The increase in mental health problems, especially among students, requires actions that do not solely rely on formal clinical services. One non-clinical method that is considered relevant, affordable, and easily accessible is bibliotherapy, especially in the context of libraries as community-based places. The purpose of this article is to explore the role of librarians as non-clinical mental health supporters through the implementation of developmental bibliotherapy in libraries. The methodology used in this study was a qualitative approach with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of nineteen relevant scientific articles published between 2015 and 2025. The research findings indicate that developmental bibliotherapy has the potential to provide initial psychosocial support, such as the development of emotional literacy, coping skills, and reduction of stress and anxiety levels among users, especially students. In practice, librarians play a key role in curating reading materials, facilitating access to reflective information, and creating a safe environment that supports mental well-being without violating non-clinical role boundaries. Thus, the implementation of bibliotherapy also faces various ethical and professional challenges, especially those related to the boundaries of the librarian's role, user privacy protection, and the need for training and interprofessional collaboration. This article emphasizes the role of librarians as facilitators of mental health based on bibliotherapy in university libraries in Indonesia, and also provides practical suggestions for service development and improving librarians' skills in mental health literacy.

Keywords

bibliotherapy, mental health, role of librarians, university libraries, developmental bibliotherapy

Full Text:

PDF

References

Agustina, S., No, J. D. S., & Barat, B. J. (2015). Konsep biblioterapi dalam library science. In Seminar Nasional Konsep Biblioterapi Dalam Ilmu Perpustakaan (pp. 1-23).

Andena, Y., Narendra, A. P., & Hermawan, A. (2023). Etika pustakawan dalam meningkatkan minat kunjung pemustaka di perpustakaan tunas muda smp stella matutina salatiga. Journal Papyrus : Sosial, Humaniora, Perpustakaan Dan Informasi, 2(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.59638/jp.v2i2.19

Ardiansyah, F. (2019). Peran pustakawan dalam pengembangan literasi informasi di perpustakaan universitas muhammadiyah makassar. Tesis, 8(5), 55.

Conzizca, M. J., & Saputra, R. (2025). Peran perpustakaan perguruan tinggi sebagai terapi kesehatan mental mahasiswa. UNILIB : Jurnal Perpustakaan, 16(2), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.20885/unilib.Vol16.iss2.art4

Dwi Utami, H., Octaviani, A., & Dewi, P. (2024). Efektivitas buku filosofi teras sebagai media biblioterapi untuk pemulihan stres dan kecemasan mahasiswa fakultas kedokteran universitas diponegoro saat mengerjakan skripsi. Anuva: Jurnal Kajian Budaya, Perpustakaan, Dan Informasi, 8(1), 127–142

Fatmawati, E. (2017). Biblioterapi: peran pustakawan dan perpustakaan dalam penerapannya. Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Perpustakaan, Informasi, Dan Perpustakaan, 1(2), 1–77.

Hasfera, D. (2018). Bibliotherapy: layanan bimbingan konseling di perpustakaan. Shaut Al-Maktabah: Jurnal Perpustakaan, Arsip dan Dokumentasi, 10(1), 39–62.

Kurniawan, Y., & Sulistyarini, I. (2016). Komunitas sehati (Sehat Jiwa dan Hati) sebagai intervensi kesehatan mental berbasis masyarakat. INSAN: Jurnal Psikologi Dan Kesehatan Mental, 1(2), 112-124.

Morin, R. A., & LaVertu, A. E. (2025). Bibliotherapy for stress management: a wellness intervention for first-year medical students. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 113(2), 158.

Salsabila, N. N., Nurlaili, A., & Wahyuningtyas, T. A. W. (2024). Strategi bimbingan dan konseling dalam mendukung kesehatan mental remaja di era digital melalui biblioterapi. EDUCOUNS GUIDANCE: Journal of Educational and Counseling Guidance, 1(1), 40-49.

Mawaddah, N., & Prastya, A. (2023). Upaya peningkatan kesehatan mental remaja melalui stimulasi perkembangan psikososial pada remaja. DEDIKASI SAINTEK Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat, 2(2), 115-125.

Rahmah, R. M. (2024). Perancangan buku biblioterapi sebagai media edukasi perilaku self loathing untuk remaja usia 18 sampai 21 tahun. BARIK-Jurnal S1 Desain Komunikasi Visual, 6(3).

Rahmasela, S., & Fitniwillis, F. (2023). Efektivitas teknik biblioterapi dalam membangun hubungan interpersonal anak remaja yayasan sedekah mulia indonesia. Research and Development Journal of Education, 9(2), 798-807.

Ridwan, M., Suhar, A. M., Ulum, B., & Muhammad, F. (2021). Pentingnya penerapan literature review pada penelitian ilmiah. Jurnal Masohi, 2(1), 42-51.

Sara, Y., Rodin, R., & Marleni, M. (2025). Penerapan kode etik pustakawan dalam meningkatkan integritas pustakawan di dinas perpustakaan dan arsip daerah kabupaten rejang lebong (Doctoral dissertation, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Curup).

Solikin, A. (2015). Bibliotherapy sebagai sebuah teknik dalam layanan bimbingan dan konseling (Bibliotherapy as a Technique in the Activities of Guidance and Counseling Services). 14, 154–161.

Susanto, E., Rispianda, A. I., Adianto, H., & Hamzah, G. (2021). Workshop online: metode systematic literature review sebagai alternatif karya ilmiah akhir bagi mahasiswa dan dosen di masa pandemi covid-19. Martabe: Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 4(1), 246-257.

Yudiarso, A., Psikologi, D., & Surabaya, U. (2023). Intervensi berbasis self-help daring kurang efektif untuk menurunkan depresi : Sebuah meta analisis Online self-help-based interventions are less effective to reduce depression : A. 9(2), 140–151.

Zuraida, S. S. (2023). Pustakawan dan perannya dalam mendukung kesehatan mental di era new normal. Media Informasi, 32(1), 73-82.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30829/jipi.v10i2.27856