BEIJING: In a primary school classroom, a group of students stood on a piece of fabric, attempting to flip it over while staying on it. This activity was part of a mental health class at Guangzhou Tianhe No.1 Primary School in south China’s Guangdong Province.
Throughout the activity, the students experienced various emotions such as excitement, frustration and exhilaration. Guided by a mental health teacher, they learned about unity, teamwork, and selflessness. Mental health education has now become mandatory in some Chinese primary and middle schools, while the majority of schools in the country provide mental health services.
By 2021, approximately 92.4 percent of primary schools and 95 percent of junior middle schools in China had either full-time or part-time mental health teachers, according to the State Council’s work report on promoting mental health submitted on Tuesday to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for deliberation.
Beyond the school environment, promoting mental well-being is a significant focus for Chinese society as a whole. Efforts are underway to involve more private entities in providing psychological counseling services to both urban and rural communities.
Local government departments have integrated psychological support and crisis intervention into their emergency plans as per legal requirements. –Agencies
