Reviving Retro Trends and Integrating Mental Health Education: Creative Workshops Foster Growth

On May 22nd, the sixth Mental Health Education Promotion Month event, themed "Empowering Growth in the Name of Love," kicked off as scheduled at Longmen Middle School in Nanchong, Sichuan Province. This event seamlessly integrated mental health education with fun and engaging practices through a series of distinctive programs, creating a warm and creative psychological growth space for teachers and students. It further embodied the school's educational philosophy of "cultivating virtue and nurturing talent" and strengthened the psychological well-being of students.

The carnival was set in a "retro" tone, incorporating interactive psychological games to spark students' exploration of the meaning of life. Classic games such as "Lucky Toss," "Fun Marbles," and "Crazy Swing" were set up, recreating the joy of childhood. In the "Three-Legged Race," students learned the value of collaboration; in "Blind Drum Beating," they broke through their self-limitations; in "Busy Hands and Feet," they experienced focus; and in "Quick Connect," they forged friendships... From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., students actively participated in various activity areas, filling the entire campus with laughter and joy. Through immersive experiences, students accumulated positive psychological energy through the games.

The "Emotional Mask" creative activity combined art therapy concepts, guiding students to express their inner emotions through colors and patterns. Masks could either serve as a shield for real emotions or an expression of inner needs. In life, we need to find a balance—bravely facing our emotions and finding a way to present our true selves. Removing the mask and confronting oneself is the essence of this activity. By creating personalized masks, students reshaped their self-perception.

The "Sunny Doll" making project centered on handcraft therapy. During the event, teachers explained the cultural significance of sunny dolls, guiding students to sew their "worries" into the creations and tie them with cotton strings carrying blessings to dispel the gloom of life. Students used their creativity and various materials to make unique dolls, gaining satisfaction and joy. Each satisfied smile reflected the bright blue sky of the day, with rays of hope shining across the campus.

With love as a medium, we escort the path of growth. The school has always integrated mental health education into the entire educational process. This promotional month, through innovative activity forms, made the themes of "love" and "growth" tangible, allowing students to feel care through interaction and express themselves through creation, injecting new vitality into building a positive and healthy campus psychological ecosystem.