Dr. Hongshan Shao and 10 graduate students in college of Education attended The Sino-US Youth Mental Health Development Forum held in Beijing Foreign Studies University

The forum focuses on adolescent mental health issues which may be impacted by factors such as resilience, cultural diversity and inclusivity, with the goal to prevent and treat mental health issues among adolescents and build a community with a shared future for mankind. The feedback from Dr. Shao is the following. This forum provided a valuable platform for students to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and explore contemporary issues in youth mental health. Throughout the event, students attended various seminars, exchanged ideas with peers and professionals from both countries, and gained a deeper understanding of global mental health challenges. They also presented at the forum to share and exchange the ideas based on their own clinical experience and counseling training in the program. Witnessing the students’ growth and engagement was deeply rewarding and reaffirmed the importance of cross-cultural exposure in their professional development.

Students feedback include the following: these experiences have broadened my perspective, reinforcing my commitment to integrating global perspectives into my teaching and research. This trip has also enhanced my career development by motivating me to seek further international collaborations and incorporate more innovative practices into my work as a counselor educator. Overall, this trip provided a rich blend of academic, cultural, and technological experiences that greatly enhanced both the students’ and my learning and global perspectives. Students recognized China’s effort in strengthening access to mental health, treatment, and case management, they believe that implementing mental health monitoring, prevention programs, and psychological services in schools and institutions will benefit student’s wellness.