Times have changed; We are living during a global pandemic and life as we knew it no longer exists. Most of us have been on lockdown in our homes for at least two months and all of our hopes, dreams, and plans are at the least interrupted, and some are put on hold for now. However, we are strong and we know that life must go on so we are learning how to do things differently. This year, CandleX’s annual workshop with Elite Scholars of China was moved online using GoToMeeting.

David passed away on 4 January 2020, shortly before the release of this video. David Schmidt cared deeply about mental health, and we now publish this video in memory of his kindness and his strength. Xiaojie Jan 2020 In the first of a new video series from CandleX, Founder Xiaojie’s old friend David shares his experience joining a support group for those struggling with mental health problems. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, scroll to the bottom

Warning: This article contains frank discussion of suicide and mental illness which some readers may find disturbing. Name: Hellen (we have changed the interviewee’s name for anonymity) Country of Origin: Australia Occupation: Education Time in Beijing: 2016-now (2019) When were you first diagnosed with depression and how did it impact your early life? Mental health issues of some form or another have run in my family for several generations. My parents, grandparents and 11 o

10 September was World Suicide Prevention Day and CandleX marked this important day by running a Suicide Prevention Campaign since then until now. In September, CandleX and thebeijinger joined together to raise awareness on suicide prevention. CandleX was featured in a short article in thebeijinger published on 10 September about mental health options in Beijing. An anonymous member of the CandleX support group discussed their experiences and shared their own advice for talki

Throughout September and October, in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Day on October 10, CandleX focused on suicide prevention, a complex and serious issue. It is mind-boggling to think that on average six people completed suicide today in Beijing, and six people yesterday, six the day before that, and there will be another six die by suicide tomorrow. By the end of 2019, nearly 140,000 people

You are in China. You have depression. You feel all alone. You want to check out. I don’t know who you are. But I know what you are going through, because I have been there. You may think nobody cares, but I do. . On this year’s World Suicide Prevention day (9/10), I wrote this poem for those… whose light is dimmed by depression, for those who feel so much pain and despair, and are ready to go, for those whose life hangs by a string and nobody knows. I hope this poem can brin