Kuta, todaysSpill.com
Mamaka Hotels & Resorts is expanding its contribution to the community through Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3, an event that combines sports, community spirit, and mental health education. Held in the Kuta Beach area on Sunday (October 18, 2026), the event attracted more than 700 runners who filled the streets of Kuta.
Now in its third year, Mamaka Fun Run has evolved beyond a sporting event and community gathering. Mamaka is pursuing a broader social mission by raising awareness of mental health through its collaboration with Shuffle & Strides.
Through this initiative, Mamaka aims to encourage the public to better understand the importance of mental well-being while building the confidence to recognize and support people around them who may be experiencing psychological difficulties.
Joel Bartlett, Area General Manager SEA of Mamaka Hotels & Resorts, said Mamaka Fun Run has continued to grow since it was first held in 2024. What began as a charity run has developed into a platform that brings different communities together while encouraging greater awareness of social issues.
“For us, community is the heart of Mamaka Fun Run. Last year, we saw more than 700 people come together in Kuta. That shows what can be achieved when a community comes together to support a cause,” Joel said.
According to Joel, this year’s event provides an opportunity to extend its impact, particularly by improving public understanding of mental health.
“Choosing mental health for Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3 felt like a very natural decision. Mamaka is about movement, connection, and well-being. We believe well-being must encompass both the body and the mind,” he said.
Joel noted that mental health remains an important issue that is often difficult to discuss openly. Through this initiative, Mamaka hopes to create opportunities for more open conversations about mental health while expanding public access to appropriate education.
For this year’s event, Mamaka partnered with Shuffle & Strides to support the Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) program. This free, two-day training program is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge to recognize mental health challenges and provide initial support to those who may need help.
Funds raised through Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3 will help create more opportunities for people to participate in MHAT training. As a result, the benefits are expected to extend beyond the runners, with participants sharing their knowledge with family members, friends, colleagues, and their wider communities.
Ira, a representative of Shuffle & Strides, also supported the collaboration, which connects physical activity with mental health education. Shuffle & Strides is a nonprofit organization that promotes mental health awareness through community-based activities, exercise, education, and open conversations.
The MHAT curriculum covers how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, communicate with someone experiencing difficulties, and provide appropriate support. Participants also receive information about mental health resources and treatment options, including when to seek professional assistance.
The training is not intended to qualify participants as mental health professionals. Instead, it provides the public with a basic understanding of how to offer initial support and direct people who need further assistance to appropriate services.
The importance of such education is reflected in data from Indonesia’s 2023 Health Survey (Survei Kesehatan Indonesia/SKI), which recorded a national depression prevalence of 1.4 percent. The highest rate was found among people aged 15–24, at 2 percent.
A national adolescent mental health survey also found that 5.5 percent of Indonesians aged 10–17 experienced mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the percentage of Indonesian students aged 13–17 who said they had seriously considered suicide increased from 5.4 percent in 2015 to 8.5 percent in 2023.
These figures underscore the importance of improving public understanding of mental health before individuals reach a crisis point. Recognizing behavioral changes, initiating conversations, and understanding where to seek help are essential steps toward building a more supportive environment.
Three Years of Bringing Communities Together
Community engagement has been an integral part of Mamaka Fun Run since its first edition. In 2024, the charity run supported educational initiatives through the Bali Children Foundation (BCF).
The commitment continued in 2025 with Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 2, which attracted more than 700 runners and introduced both 5-kilometer (5K) and 10-kilometer (10K) categories.
The event also featured entertainment, Zumba sessions, family activities, and participation from several running communities, including Shuffle & Strides, Indorunners Bali, CCRC, HOTR, and Gianyar Runners.
This year, Mamaka once again offered two race categories: 5K and 10K. The enthusiasm of more than 700 participants filling Kuta’s streets demonstrated the appeal of community running events and their potential to encourage broader public involvement in social causes.
Although the focus has shifted from education to mental health awareness, Mamaka’s underlying mission remains unchanged. Both areas emphasize knowledge, empowerment, and improving the quality of life within the community.
For Mamaka, the success of the event is measured not only by the number of runners crossing the finish line. A broader impact is expected when more people understand mental health challenges and learn how to provide initial support to those around them.
Through its collaboration with Shuffle & Strides, Mamaka aims to expand access to mental health education across Bali and Indonesia. Each person who receives training is expected to share that knowledge with others, allowing awareness and support to spread throughout the wider community.
Mamaka Hotels & Resorts is a lifestyle resort located on Kuta Beach, Bali, offering accommodation, dining, entertainment, and wellness facilities. Through various community initiatives, Mamaka seeks to bring guests, partners, and local communities together through activities that create a positive impact.
Shuffle & Strides, meanwhile, focuses on reducing mental health stigma through positive activities, community connections, and accessible education. Its programs include community running events, Mental Health Awareness Training, and initiatives designed to improve access to knowledge and professional support.
Through Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3, Mamaka hopes the spirit of togetherness created on the streets of Kuta will develop into a broader movement of care and support. Sports serve as a way to bring people together, while mental health education helps build communities that are healthier both physically and psychologically. TS-01
