INTRO
Mental well-being is not just about managing our emotions; it can also be found in the little moments of everyday life, whether it’s coloring, crafting, enjoying a fun game, or laughing with friends.
In early October, our annual Mental Health Week brought the campus to life with a variety of activities organized through the collaborative efforts of different clubs and faculty. These activities offered students opportunities to explore their own well-being, express themselves, and connect with others. Throughout the week, we shared joy and warmth, while gaining new perspectives on mental health through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions. Let’s revisit some of the memorable moments from this year’s Mental Health Week!
Hugging T-shirt
Hugging T-shirt was an interactive activity during Mental Health Week. Students wore white T-shirts and left colorful marks on one another through hugs. The key idea was that a simple hug could represent support, care, and connection, allowing students to express encouragement in a fun and relaxed way. The response was very positive: many students were excited to participate, hugged their friends, and genuinely enjoyed the activity. The atmosphere became slightly chaotic at times because of the high level of participation, so in the future, clearer queuing and on-site guidance could help the activity run more smoothly while keeping its lively and supportive spirit.
Fan Painting
As a rather traditional event of Mental Health Week, the lacquer fan-making (fan painting) event turned the pages of past memories amid the warm autumn sunshine, while bringing new laughter and warmth. Incorporating traditional Chinese cultural art, this activity adorned the early autumn afternoons of the in SCIE with culturally enriched paints and color after a long tiring day. Every unique work helped release everyone’s built-up fatigue, making this afternoon extraordinary and refreshing.
Dipping a blank lacquer fan into paint is just like submerging tense thoughts in a hot bath. When lifted out, it gets covered with touching colorful patterns. This easy-to-learn handcraft activity allows participants to immerse themselves in the sense of achievement from creating their own artwork.
The event drew enthusiastic participation. As the organizers, our team felt deeply privileged. We hope to meet everyone again next time and enjoy more fun lacquer fan-making together.
Sound Bath
This sound bath session featured a variety of traditional instruments, including singing bowls, crystal bowls, and rain-sticks, creating a rich collision of sounds, and was held in a thoughtfully designed environment: dim lighting and flickering candles created a soothing ambiance, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Students first stimulated their sense of smell using differently scented essential oils. They then lay down on yoga mats, closed their eyes, and sank into deep relaxation within this immersive experience, gradually drifting off to sleep and releasing the fatigue built up from a full day of academic work.
Each participant received a bouquet of flowers, a gentle reminder to care for themselves amid busy schedules and to find beauty and meaning in the moment. Most participants reported enjoying the music and feeling deeply relaxed—some even fell asleep, experiencing inner calm and tranquility.
Shred Your Worries
During Mental Health Week, we organized Shred Your Worries, an activity encouraging students to acknowledge and symbolically let go of their stress. Participants wrote down their worries on paper before shredding them, turning emotional release into a simple physical action.
The activity offered students an opportunity to reflect on their feelings and take a brief break from academic pressure. Seeing participants engage with the activity reminded us that even small actions can promote emotional awareness. Through organizing this event, we also recognized the importance of creating accessible, low-pressure opportunities for students to express themselves and prioritize their mental well-being.
Nonogram
For our Nonogram activity, students helped color a large pixel picture of Sesame, our school cat. We wanted to give everyone a chance to put schoolwork aside and spend some time drawing and chatting. Things did not go exactly as planned, but people joined in, and together we finished the picture. We were really pleased with that. Looking back, giving people room to enjoy the activity mattered more than following every detail of our plan. We now hope to frame the picture and give it to the school’s mental health staff on behalf of Peer Support.
AFTERWORD
Happy time flies like flowing water. Mental Health Week has now come to an end. We would like to thank every peer and teacher who devoted themselves to this event. It is your perseverance and dedication that turned our ideas into accessible activities for all. We would also like to thank every student participant. It is your enthusiasm and support that have made this week truly special.
May this week ease your weariness, bring you relaxation, care and more smiles. May this peace and warmth linger. We take our leave for now, and look forward to meeting you next year.
- Article / PS Division
