Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, the Center for Counseling and Psychological Development (also known as the Counseling and Psychological Service, CAPS) has taken on additional responsibilities to assist students and their families during this challenging time.
Apart from the more obvious biological effects, the coronavirus may also influence us from a psychological perspective through a phenomenon called the ‘epidemic of fear’. Under these circumstances, many factors ranging from individual exposure to nationwide medical response and control often cause mass public concern. This concern often translates into anxiety and fear, which can easily spread among people and is further amplified through half-truths or rumors. As China’s medical teams continue to fight the coronavirus on the front lines, psychological professionals are also joining the fight against this epidemic of fear. Recognizing these psychological risks, the Center has mobilized both full-time and part-time staff to provide various forms of support for Tsinghua students.
On January 24th, the Center posted the article “Confronting the novel coronavirus pneumonia, what should we do to care about our mental health?” on its official WeChat account “Xiaoqingxin”, and quickly gained more than 11,000 views. Since then, "Xiaoqingxin” has posted 35 articles and videos addressing topics ranging from coping with stress to gaining positive control, attracting more than 60,000 views and demonstrating our students’ interest and commitment toward their well-being.
On January 28th, the Center launched a telephone hotline, which continues to offer a valuable tool for students who would like to connect with a psychological professional. All hotline operators are full-time or part-time counsellors employed by the Center; English speaking counsellors are also available. In the days following this launch, the hotline was recommended by the ‘Mayor of Beijing Hotline’ (12345) and expanded its services to include local Beijing citizens.
By providing information and instructions on how to regulate one’s feelings, regain mental stability and control, and by listening to these various new challenges and concerns, the Center has helped many during this uncertain period.
Due to the epidemic, Tsinghua University commenced widespread online classes as scheduled on February 17th. The Center provide online teaching, training and counselling, in line with these measures. As one example, the Center has joined the “Tsinghua Student Union—Charge at Home” program, where both Dr. Li Yan and Dr. Liu Dan have conducted two open lectures, attracting more than three million views throughout various live-broadcasting platforms.
Beginning February 17th, the Center started online counselling for all students of Tsinghua. Although fears associated with the coronavirus were addressed through previous articles and videos, many new issues continue to emerge as students reflect on this unexpected break in their normal lives, their goals during this period, and interaction with family members. The Center believes, we believe there is room for growth under every circumstance. While there are those who have assuredly benefited from this recent change and subsequent time for life reflection, there are also those who need psychological support during this period to sort out complicated and challenging thoughts and feelings.
Throughout China, many hotlines have sprung up in previous weeks to address the increased demand for psychological services. As a teaching and training institute for the Chinese Psychological Society, the Tsinghua Center for Counseling and Psychological Development has worked with the Department of Psychology and other institutes, such as Beijing Well-being Foundation, to provide professional training courses for hotline operators outside University gates.
The Center continues to provide support and professional expertise in the battle against the novel coronavirus, and will maintain these high-end service options for all Tsinghua students who need them.
On March 2nd, Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Tsinghua's School of Medicine, learning about progress on the COVID-19 vaccine, anti-body, medicine and fast testing kit research and application.
While inspecting the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University, Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscored the importance of psychological intervention to help patients fully recover.
Inspired by Xi’s remarks, the Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, and the Center for Counseling and Psychological Development have come together in order to plan further support to the general public.
During these trying times, we all should remain vigilant in protecting and maintaining not only our individual physical health, but also our mental health, and those of our family and friends. To do this, we recommend continually checking-in on one another, listening to and openly sharing our thoughts and feelings. This form of communal support, whether with family, friends, or colleagues, is an extremely valuable psychological tool that will keep us firmly connected to those we love.
When this crisis passes, we should look back on this time and examine how it made us feel. How did we cope under such unforeseen pressure? Do we simply wish to move past this event or are we willing to reflect and internalize this experience, and integrate this personal understanding and growth into our lives? As future world leaders, we encourage you to utilize this opportunity to contemplate these questions.
We greatly appreciate the extraordinary efforts of those at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Development for their hard work and ingenuity in providing these services.
Writer: Wang Xu，Center for Counseling and Psychological Development
Editor: Taylor Hamilton
Photo: Dai Bing
