As the public has insufficient knowledge of depression and there is discrimination and stigma against people living with mental health problems in our society, China Y is putting increased focus on mental health and wellbeing, hoping to popularize depression-related knowledge, reduce mental health discrimination, help people cope with mental health issues, and build a healthier and more inclusive society. With full preparations, China Y started our depression prevention program Making Life Less Stressful in July 2021, which lasted 5 months and successfully concluded in November.

Our program aims to help people prevent depression and keep mental health, which is one of the key psychological problems nowadays. During the implementation of the program, China Y not only provides professional psychological knowledge of explanation and guidance for the target group, but also arranges different stress-relieving activities. These prevention programs benefit participants and their families, friends, colleagues, etc.

A series of three online lectures on professional knowledge of depression were carried out by National Council, covering areas such as standards for physical and mental health measures, origin and evolution of emotions, difference between depressed mood and depression, self-adjustment of depressed mood. By attending online lectures and themed activities, participants understood that depression results from many factors in biological, psychological and social environment. Everyone could experience depressed mood sometimes, yet it does not mean depression.

Benefiting from these lectures, participants obtained a basic understanding of how to manage their moods, and how to plan for positive guidance to people in need. Being diagnosed with depression is not terrible, one can get recovered from effective treatments from support of families and friends. Everyone should pay attention to the signals sent by emotions, learn and improve emotional self-control, and be more sensitive to the abnormal status of mind and body. Timely interventions should be made to alleviate depressive moods before the situation worsens. Participants have learned effective ways to relieve stress and pressure through painting, games, entertainment, sports, meditation, etc.

With a series of scientific learning of depression and emotional problems, the participants’ fear and social stigma about depression were effectively reduced. They were more willing to offer support to people suffering from depression and encourage them to actively seek for trained health-care providers. At the mean time, these advanced concepts benefited China Y as well by providing a solid basis for further programs.

In-person activities were carried out by Shanghai Y, Chengdu Y and Nanjing Y respectively, including 6 thematic workshops, 6 group activities, 3 field-trips and 1 thematic seminar. By attending psychological workshops, participants have enhanced their self awareness about moods and learned depression-related knowledge. They shared their own life experiences in a relaxing manner and formed supportive groups together. Group activities and field trips involved hiking, painting, park visiting, etc, in which participants could release their pressure and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

These activities received positive feedbacks and participants were willing to share with family members and friends effective ways they learned to alleviate stress. The thematic seminar, combining peer interaction with theoretical introduction, helps participants gain a scientific understanding of depression under the guidance of professional theories, thus making China Y’s advocacy more informative.

We aim to deliver early depression intervention to more people and families, so that the affected person can be timely diagnosed and receive appropriate treatments. Participants and Y staff engaged in the program might become volunteers in the future. As for our volunteers, they play an important role in conveying professional knowledge and methods to more individuals and groups. Through the program, China Y aims to establish a more supportive network to alleviate social stigma against depression and help contribute to a more harmonious society.

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Online lectures:

Field-trip exposure:

Thematic workshops and seminar: