BREAKING THE CHAIN OF VIOLENCE: COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH
Abstract
Violence against women and youth remains one of the most pervasive threats to human dignity and social stability. Beyond its physical and legal dimensions, violence also manifests in psychological wounds that hinder personal growth and collective resilience. This paper explores the interconnected nature of gender-based and intergenerational violence, emphasizing the need for integrated counseling and mental health approaches. Drawing from community-based research and counseling practice in Indonesia, it highlights the role of school counselors, family educators, and local women leaders in creating safe and supportive environments for healing. Using a biopsychosocial and resilience-oriented framework, the discussion identifies key strategies to break the cycle of violence—through emotional literacy, trauma-informed interventions, and empowerment-based group counseling. The paper argues that prevention must go beyond awareness campaigns, focusing instead on building inner strength, empathy, and social responsibility within both victims and potential perpetrators. In conclusion, a culturally sensitive and community-driven counseling model is proposed as a pathway toward sustainable mental health and gender justice in post-violence contexts.