On the afternoon of April 1, the opening ceremony of the 30th Mental Health Education Promotion Month, together with the psychological drama competition themed “Voicing the Mind, Safeguarding Growth,” was held at the Teaching Theater of the Opera House. The event was organized to further implement the Ministry of Education’s Guidelines on Comprehensively Advancing the Development of Healthy Schools and to promote the educational principle of “health first.”
University leaders attended the event and delivered remarks. More than 1,500 participants, including representatives from the Human Resources Office, the Library, Party and administrative leaders of residential colleges, and student representatives, were present.
In their speech, university leaders emphasized that mental health is a top priority in student development. The university has consistently placed students’ psychological well-being at the forefront, continuously improving its mental health support system and strengthening efforts in curriculum development, counseling services, and group activities to comprehensively support students’ growth.
They also shared three key expectations for students. First, to cultivate inner strength and express themselves sincerely—facing challenges and uncertainties in growth with the courage to voice their thoughts and emotions. Second, to treat others with empathy and kindness—bridging differences through understanding and replacing criticism with goodwill, thereby fostering a warm and resilient campus environment. Third, to make good use of available resources and take initiative—seeking support when facing difficulties, which reflects both self-care and a mature sense of responsibility.
As a key component of this year’s Mental Health Education Promotion Month, the psychological drama competition featured ten original student-written and student-performed productions. These works addressed common psychological themes on campus, including academic pressure, interpersonal relationships, emotional management, and personal growth challenges.
Through vivid storytelling and nuanced performances, the productions brought students’ inner experiences to the stage. “NPC Awakening Diary” portrayed a journey of self-breakthrough and the courage to express oneself; “Unbinding Life” explored the struggle with external judgments and the process of rediscovering one’s true self; and “Echoes in the Mirror” examined the balance between virtual and real-life interactions.
By presenting relatable stories drawn from student life, these performances resonated deeply with the audience, opening a dialogue with the inner self and conveying a strong message of psychological care and support.
Following intense on-site competition and professional evaluation by the judging panel, the contest awarded first, second, and third prizes, as well as an Outstanding Organization Award. Zhiyuan Residential College, Boyi Residential College, and Huanyu Residential College received first prize. Zhishan, Zhixing, Qixian, and Siqi Residential Colleges were awarded second prize, while Mingli, Boya, and Xinzhi Residential Colleges received third prize. Zhiyuan Residential College was also honored with the Outstanding Organization Award.
In their remarks, a representative of the judging panel commended all participating works, noting that the performances centered around three key themes: “self-awareness,” “embracing vulnerability,” and “connecting with others.” These themes vividly reflected the psychological growth journey of young students. The judges emphasized that the value of psychological drama lies not only in performance, but also in the students’ genuine concern for mental health and their thoughtful reflections. Each production conveyed a positive message of facing psychological challenges with courage and embracing growth through support and companionship, enabling the audience to gain both emotional resonance and psychological insight.
As an innovative approach to mental health education, the psychological drama competition holds unique educational significance. By encouraging students to write and perform their own works, it transforms education from passive reception into active participation. Through both performance and audience engagement, students experience self-education and mutual support. This event also showcased the educational achievements of the residential colleges and served as an important platform for promoting students’ psychological development.
