Stigma Management and Social Capital Formation Through Anonymous Peer Support: A Study of HearSpace Intervention at SMP Kemala Bhayangkari 1 Surabaya

Abstract

The mental health crisis and social isolation among early teens in Indonesian schools have largely not been adequately addressed due to the stigma attached to formal counseling services. The study examines the effectiveness of HearSpace, an anonymous peer-support intervention that blends Instagram-based direct messaging services with an anonymous physical confessional box, in creating a safe space for junior high school students at Kemala Bhayangkari 1 Surabaya to express their emotional experiences and reduce tendencies toward social isolation. The study used a participatory action Research (PAR) design based on Goffman's stigma theory and Putnam's concept of social capital, with data collected through anonymous confessional analysis, participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and directional group discussions conducted from April 8 to April 30, 2026. The findings across the three classes revealed four dominant themes in student expression: Friendship issues, academic distress, family conflicts, and confidence crises, with significant variations in how each theme is experienced across classes. Students' preference for anonymous channels over formal BK services confirms a paradox where real emotional support needs exist, but stigma consistently hinders access to institutional assistance. A tailored socialization session responsive to the vent box findings results in a positive reception, with students welcoming the concept of storytelling anonymously as a previously unavailable but urgently needed space. The results showed that HearSpace effectively reduced stigma-based barriers to emotional expression and fostered peer-based social beliefs consistent with Putnam's social capital bonding framework. Practically speaking, this model offers a replicable, low-cost, and minimal stigma approach to other schools facing similar psychosocial challenges.