Student Group Counseling By the Adolescent Mental Health Care: Inauguration of the Psychological Counseling Center at Heping Middle School in Yu Zhong County

Student Group Counseling By the Adolescent Mental Health Care: Inauguration of the Psychological Counseling Center at Heping Middle School in Yu Zhong County

On October 14, 2024, a ceremony was held at Heping Middle School in Yu Zhong County to unveil its new psychological counseling center. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Yu Minhong, the founder of the New Oriental Education & Beijing New Oriental Public Welfare Foundation, Chen Xingjia, the founder of Ever Care Charity Foundation, Ma Xiaofeng, Vice Dean of the School of Psychology at Northwestern Normal University, and He Baoping, a researcher at the Gansu Provincial Educational Science Research Institute.

During the event, Mr. Yu Minhong shared his remarkable personal growth and learning journey with the teachers and students. He detailed how he managed to rise from a rural background to study and teach at Peking University, and later founded New Oriental, which has been instrumental in helping four million students pursue overseas studies over the past 31 years. Mr. Yu opened up about the numerous challenges he encountered over the years and how he overcame them. He emphasized, "At times during our studies and lives, we may experience feelings of loneliness, sadness, despair, and even the urge to give up. This could be due to a lack of academic progress despite our efforts or strained relationships with classmates. However, these are all integral parts of life's journey. There are several crucial aspects:

First and foremost, students should have aspirations. You should believe that through your hard work, your life will undergo significant positive changes in the future.

Secondly, once you've set your aspirations, study diligently and strive to enter a good high school and university to pave a smoother path for your life. Even though you don't manage to get into a top - tier university, identify something you're passionate about and work hard in that area, you can still achieve success.

Thirdly, maintain a positive and optimistic mindset. Consider difficulties as temporary tests from life, not your predetermined fate. With such a mindset, difficulties will transform from obstacles into stepping - stones for your personal growth.

Finally, cultivate a spirit of mutual care and unity. No one can achieve great things alone, together, we can achieve more and lead happier lives."

Mr. Chen Xingjia also shared his experiences of studying at New Oriental. He said, "Always hold hope in your heart." The saying "In the face of despair, seek hope, and life will eventually shine" has long inspired countless individuals. Mr. Chen told the students that although the starting lines of our lives may vary, through hard work, what we have achieved today can be within your reach tomorrow. He hoped that students could draw inspiration from different role models and envision their own futures. The program is set to accompany the students throughout their middle  school years. Students are encouraged to stay happy, always hold onto hope, and soar towards the vast expanse of life like carefree birds.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Yan Jifang, a psychological teacher at Heping Middle School, led the guests on a tour of the Psychological Counseling Center and introduced the various activities and achievements of the Adolescent Mental Health Care over the past year. The Psychological Counseling Center is equipped with multiple functional areas, including a complete set of individual counseling rooms, music relaxation rooms, sandplay therapy rooms, group counseling rooms, venting rooms, and reading areas. These facilities provide a warm, comfortable, relaxing, and safe space for psychological activities for the school's teachers and students. Mr. Yu Minhong, Mr. Chen Xingjia, and student representatives jointly experienced the punching-bag venting in the venting room and tried out the music relaxation equipment and sandplay tools in the psychological counseling room.

Finally, Mr. Yu Minhong, Mr. Chen Xingjia, and the students entered the classroom together and participated in a psychology class held in the group counseling room of the Psychological Counseling Center. The class was conducted by the school's psychological teachers and volunteer teachers from the School of Psychology at Northwest Normal University, with the theme "The Shining Me." During the class, students explored their own and their group members' strengths and jointly completed the creative task of passing through an A4 paper. In the relaxed and lively atmosphere, the students' sincerity, liveliness, cuteness, and confidence deeply impressed the teachers. Encouraging and discovering children's strengths can facilitate their faster and healthier growth. Every child is a unique and brilliant star.