Yuan Ze University Built a Campus Mental Health Support Network, Extending Care Beyond the Counseling Center

Yuan Ze University held the “2026 Friendly Campus Week” from May 5 to May 7, themed “Azure Resonance: Hearing the 52-Hertz Campus Frequency.” Integrating issues of mental health, disability inclusion, and gender diversity, the event featured a series of interactive activities aimed at fostering a more inclusive campus environment.

This year, the University partnered with the Teacher Chang Foundation, introducing a mobile “Mental Health Bus” onto campus. The initiative attracted more than 400 faculty members and students, demonstrating the University’s strong commitment to student mental well-being.

Yi-Chun Liu, , Dean of Student Affairs, noted that in recent years, university students have faced increasing pressures from academics, career prospects, and social media, bringing mental health issues into greater focus. However, she pointed out that when seeking help, students often hesitated due to concerns about being labeled or discouraged by complicated appointment procedures, which reduced their willingness to reach out for support. To overcome the limitations of traditional counseling models, the University specifically invited the Mental Health Bus to be stationed in central campus areas, providing psychological support services in a more approachable and immediate manner.

The event adopted the “52-Hertz Whale” as a symbol representing students who experienced loneliness yet longed to be understood. Through Friendly Campus Week, the University hoped that every student could find companions who were willing to listen and resonate on the same frequency. In addition to interactive booths, professional mental health practitioners were present on-site to offer immediate care and resource guidance, helping students build more comprehensive social support networks.

The series of activities was rich and diverse, including the mobile services of the Mental Health Bus, sound healing sessions with singing bowls, and Harmony Pastel embossed bookmark workshops, engaging participants’ five senses. Through sound vibrations and artistic creation, students were guided to relieve stress and enhance self-awareness. Furthermore, the University promoted inclusive education through the screening of micro-films on special education themes and equality-focused lectures, encouraging students to cultivate empathy by learning from diverse life experiences.

Dean Yi-Chun Liu emphasized that a university was not only a place for academic learning but also an essential pillar in safeguarding students’ physical and mental development. She remarked that every student had their own unique frequency and deserved to be understood and accepted. Through Friendly Campus Week, the University hoped to convey to students who felt lonely that they were not alone. Looking ahead, Yuan Ze University would continue to integrate on- and off-campus resources to develop more diverse and accessible mental health support systems, creating a safe and inclusive campus environment where every student could receive warmth, companionship, and support throughout their academic journey.