Integration of Mohammad Natsir's Thoughts in Professional Mental Health Guidance and Counselling Practices

Abstract

Mental health is an important issue that is becoming increasingly complex in the modern era, marked by an increase in cases of stress, anxiety, and depression. In Indonesia, the majority of the population is Muslim, so mental health guidance and counselling practices require an approach that is not only based on modern psychology but also Islamic values. This article aims to analyse the integration of Mohammad Natsir's Islamic thinking into professional counselling practices. Natsir emphasises tauhid as the core of personality, akhlak as the manifestation of faith, and the balance of faith–knowledge–action as a principle of life, which are relevant as the foundation of Islamic counselling. This study uses a literature review method by examining Natsir's original works, secondary literature, and relevant research on Islamic counselling. The data were analysed using content analysis techniques, including reduction, categorisation, interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that Natsir's ideas can be integrated with modern counselling practices, for example, through spiritual strengthening as a coping mechanism, morals as the basis for moral guidance, and the integration of faith, knowledge, and action with Islamic cognitive-behavioural therapy. Natsir's ideas also emphasise the importance of the role of family, community, and worship in maintaining mental health. This is relevant to addressing contemporary challenges, such as social media addiction, identity crises, moral degradation, and weak social bonds in the digital age. Thus, Mohammad Natsir's thinking not only offers psychological solutions but also strengthens spiritual and moral aspects. This integration can serve as a conceptual framework for the development of more holistic, contextual, and transformative Islamic counselling in Indonesia.