On the afternoon of Oct 10, the 34th World Mental Health Day, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) held its second annual mental health carnival. The event transformed the campus into a captivating mind journey, using creative, engaging activities to guide students in prioritizing mental health and learning stress-relief techniques.

This year's event emphasized student innovation. Guided by the Student Mental Health Education Center, various groups of college students combined their academic expertise to design nine unique themed areas. The activities blended disciplinary knowledge with psychological themes, drawing large crowds for immersive participation.

The horticulture therapy zone was particularly popular. Students crafted personalized botanical bookmarks and used natural dyes to create tie-dye "mood maps", finding tranquility through focused handcrafts.

In the "Heart-to-Heart Letter" area, words took on new meaning. At the "Emotion Collage Poem" booth, students used pre-written words, colors, and drawings to collaboratively assemble poetic works. "Mood Blind Boxes" offered surprising tasks, with participants drawing tasks like high-fives or self-encouragement messages, promoting warmth and positive social connection.

Adding a modern touch, the new "Smart Mind Zone" featured AI and smart psychology experiences. Students used VR equipment for immersive relaxation and engaged with an AI psychological assistant. One student noted that the interactive nature of the VR experience, featuring calming images and games, made stress reduction more accessible than traditional lectures.

The event merged creativity, tradition, and technology to foster a proactive and positive approach to student well-being.

Using VR headsets, students engage in an immersive experience of relaxation and mental decompression. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]

A diverse range of mental health education activities draws active participation at the square. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]