The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, has launched a community-based initiative aimed at addressing an often-overlooked issue in domestic life: the mental load carried by housewives. The program, conducted through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, was held on July 21 and 31, and August 3, 2025, engaging members of the PKK women’s group in RW 8 Badran Yogyakarta.

The research highlights the concept of mental load—a form of invisible labor that encompasses the constant planning, organizing, and emotional management required to sustain household life. Despite its significance, this burden is rarely acknowledged socially or economically, even as it shapes the psychological well-being of women.

Rather than positioning participants as passive subjects, the PAR approach places them at the center of the research process as co-researchers. Through cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection, participants not only shared their lived experiences but also actively contributed to identifying solutions and driving change within their own households and communities.

The initiative was led by Andayani, M.SW, with support from Noorkamilah, M.Si, under the supervision ofMuhammad Izzul Haq, PhD, Head of the IKS program. A total of 30 housewives participated in a series of sessions that included initial surveys, focus group discussions, and structured reflections.

The research unfolded in three key phases. The first focused on mapping and articulating experiences of mental load, as participants documented their daily routines and shared personal narratives. The second phase introduced strategies for redistributing domestic responsibilities, encouraging dialogue with spouses and more equitable task-sharing. The final phase emphasized community strengthening, culminating in the formation of support groups and small-scale campaigns promoting shared responsibility within households.

The outcomes were tangible. Participants reported heightened critical awareness of unequal domestic roles, alongside emerging behavioral changes in how responsibilities were negotiated at home. The formation of peer support networks among the women marked a significant step toward building social solidarity at the community level.

Beyond individual households, the initiative contributed to improved psychological well-being by creating safe spaces for reflection and mutual support. It also underscores the relevance of social work in addressing everyday inequalities that often remain outside formal policy discussions.

As part of its broader commitment to the Tridharma of higher education, the IKS program continues to bridge academic inquiry and community engagement. This PAR initiative stands as an example of how participatory, practice-oriented social work can foster meaningful social transformation—starting from within the home.