From March to May, under the guidance of the Mental Health Education Centre of the Student Affairs and Services Office at BJTU Weihai Campus, peer counsellors conducted the 12th season of the Decompression Workshops. Centred on creative handicrafts, mindfulness healing, emotional expression and nature-based experiences, the workshops aimed to help students relieve academic pressure, ease anxiety, enhance self-awareness and regain inner peace through immersive and hands-on activities.
OH Cards Storytime
On March 21 and 22, the “OH Cards Storytime” workshop warmly returned. Through the images on OH Cards, students were encouraged to associate, imagine and express their inner feelings. In the process of storytelling and attentive listening, participants gradually sorted through their emotions, released stress and found understanding, support and connection through communication with their peers.
Aquatic Micro-Landscape DIY
On March 28 and 29, the “Aquatic Micro-Landscape DIY” workshop was held under the theme of spiritual healing. Participants selected plants, laid sand and stones, arranged miniature landscapes and poured in clear water step by step. Through these delicate and mindful actions, students slowed down their pace, focused on the present moment and experienced the relaxation brought by nature.
Ocean-Themed Handmade Stress-Relief Ball
On April 11 and 12, the “Ocean-Themed Handmade Stress-Relief Ball” workshop was held to help students relax in a gentle and healing atmosphere. Inspired by the freshness of early summer and the vitality of nature, students released fatigue and gained calmness through handcrafting. The creative process became an opportunity for participants to communicate with themselves and rediscover inner peace and strength.
Bead Art DIY
On May 23 and 24, the “Bead Art DIY” workshop took place under the theme “Creativity at the Fingertips, Stress Relief in the Moment”. Students selected their favourite patterns and colors, arranging colorful beads one by one to create personalized works. Immersed in the focused process of creation, participants temporarily set aside their worries and gained both relaxation and a sense of accomplishment.
Outdoor Mindfulness Journey
On May 23, a special outdoor activity titled “Summer Breeze·Decompression Workshop Special Season” was launched. Students stepped into nature, adjusted their breathing through mindful walking, relaxed their bodies and minds with the sound of nutshell rattles, and made botanical hammered bookmarks by hand. Through the integration of nature, sound and handicraft, participants experienced the healing power of the natural world.
The Decompression Workshops in this semester provided students with a warm and supportive platform to relieve stress, express emotions and build connections through diverse and immersive activities. From creative crafts to outdoor mindfulness, from card storytelling to nature-based creation, students learned to slow down, observe themselves and soothe their minds. In the future, the peer counsellor team will continue to organize more meaningful and caring mental health activities according to students’ needs, helping them face study and life with a more positive, stable and confident mindset.
