2024-10-11
Nurturing hearts with virtue for bright futures! The psychodrama tour event for minors, themed “Play”ful Youth, Soaring Hearts, launched with enthusiasm on October 10th—coinciding with the 33rd World Mental Health Day—at the Jinan Art School. This event, organized by Shandong Province and Jinan City, promotes a comprehensive environment for moral education, reinforces efforts to foster minors' mental well-being, and encourages a positive societal outlook.
At the event, students from Shandong Agricultural University, Shandong Vocational College of Science and Technology, and Weifang High School performed engaging plays, including Grandma’s Photo Album, Breaking Free, and Dancing Towards the Heart. Jinan’s recommendations included performances from Weishi Road Primary School, Jinan Art School, Jinan Vocational and Technical College, and Chunhui Experimental School of Shanghe County, with plays such as I Am Li Chenghuan, Reconciliation of Love, Who’s the Bully, and Scorching Sun Like Me, offering audiences an immersive therapeutic journey through the world of psychodrama.
Through these seven plays, the young performers authentically portrayed the inner struggles, growth, and dreams of adolescents, addressing real-life challenges and showcasing the significance of mental health education. These productions resonated with the audience, who responded with resounding applause, recognizing both the actors' performances and the meaningful themes of resilience and empathy conveyed by the plays.
The event featured a panel of experts, including Zhao Weiguo, a professor at Shandong Normal University’s Psychology School; Tai Qi, a pioneer in the Chinese resilience training system; renowned broadcaster Jiali; guest psychologist Zhang Haixia; Shigao Yan, Director of the Eighth Division at the Jinan Mental Health Center; and Li Zhe, a mental health education specialist. This expert panel provided in-depth insights into each play, focusing on character development, emotional expression, and the conveyance of values. They praised the psychodramas for addressing diverse adolescent mental health challenges and highlighting the importance of self-awareness, social support, and personal growth.
Additionally, to promote mental health awareness further, the event featured booths set up by the city’s Education Bureau, Health Commission, and local communities, along with various schools. These booths provided youth with resources, including mental health screenings, an AI “Mental Oasis” station, mental health comics, a “21-Day Care Plan” initiative, and free books and brochures, aiming to enhance minors' mental health consciousness through engaging activities.
This event was streamed live on the Shandong Broadcasting Station’s “Cultivating New Talent” app, reaching a wider audience and amplifying its positive impact.