Mental Health Support & Education for Chinese Kids

Twelve-year-old Xiaopu used to lie awake at night, afraid he wouldn't get into middle school. He is one of many rural teenagers in Luquan County. With his parents working away from home year-round, he lives with his grandparents. Facing the critical transition from primary to middle school, his anxiety about exams and unfamiliar environments stayed buried deep inside.

Until one day, in a mental health group counseling class, he learned how to "take a deep breath." That class also gave Xiaopu the courage to speak his anxiety out loud for the first time. In the warmth of the group, he discovered that many of his classmates shared the same fears—he was not alone. He said it felt like a stone had finally been lifted from his heart.

In China, many children see exams as the only path to a better life. In the pursuit of high scores, their mental health problems grow increasingly severe. Especially in the mountains of Luquan, Yunnan, many children treat exams as their only ticket out—a pressure so heavy it leaves them gasping for air. There are many more children like Xiaopu in rural China.

In 2026, CWEF brought mental health group counseling classes to 7 rural schools, giving 875 children the courage to face stress.

We replaced lectures with games, and anxiety with hugs. 92% of the children learned at least one way to relieve stress.

Guarding the hearts of rural youth—we are still on the journey. We thank our generous supporters for helping this strength reach deep into the mountains.

But Xiaopu's smile tells us—it was all worth it.