Rici Foundation develops and provides mental health curriculum for rural kids in China, which aims at improving abilities of self-awareness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal relationships among children and youth aged between 6 and 15. Until now, the program has benefited over 70,000 rural students by training more than 900 teachers and collaborating with nearly 650 schools across the nation. To continue empowering positive lives for 5,000 rural Chinese children, we need your help.
According to the 2016 Chinese national census data, there are more than 9 million left-behind children in rural areas. Research has shown that a lack of parental care may put these children at higher risks of mental problems such as anxiety and depression. However, there are few mental health services and resources available in rural areas, which poses significant challenges to prevent rural children from mental health issues.
The project focuses on the prevention of mental health issues at an early stage. Rici develops age-appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health curriculum and train school educators with both theoretical knowledge and pedagogical skills. Through the courses, children explore and gradually acqure skills of self-awareness, emotional regulation and interpersonal relationship, thus living more positive lives and being free from mental problems.
The program will empower 5,000 children with social and emotional skills so that they can overcome obstacles and keep positive attitudes on life. Moreover, 30 teachers will become experts at mental health education and the local Bureau of Education will launch relevant policies to promote children's mental wellbeing.
