Center for School Mental Health Research: Infinite Mental Power, Educating Both Mentals and Minds

I. Introduction

The Center for School Mental Health Research (CSMHR), established in June 2021 under the School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is dedicated to advancing both research and practice in the field of mental health and well-being among students and teachers. Guided by the principle of “balancing research and practice,” the Center focuses on promoting psychological well-being in school settings, conducting systematic scientific research, and translating academic findings into practical, evidence-based solutions for primary and secondary education.

II. Team Composition

The Center currently consists of a high-level interdisciplinary team of five full-time faculty members, whose expertise spans psychology, education, neuroscience, and clinical counseling. The members serve as reviewers or editorial board members for leading international and domestic journals, reflecting their broad interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research perspectives and excellence in teaching and practice.

Several members actively participate in international collaborations, bringing global perspectives and cross-cultural research experience to the Center. Together, they form a complementary academic community:

· Dr. WANG Lijuan, Director of the Center, focuses on adolescent psychological development and education, learning and memory, AI + mental health, and brain-based teaching principles.

· Dr. CHEN Lingjun specializes in adolescent social development, health psychology, expressive writing, and evaluation of psychological intervention programs.

· Dr. TANG Xin researches students’ motivation, mental health, social-emotional skills, and teachers’ instructional practices.

· Dr. ZHANG Xiaoqiao is devoted to cross-cultural student adaptation, international student education, mental health and career development, and training models for Master of Education programs.

· Dr. LIU Huabing focuses on student mental health and crisis intervention, cross-cultural adjustment, and clinical counseling and supervision.

III. Research and Innovation: A Multi-level, High-output Network

Over the past four years, the Center has made remarkable achievements across three major areas: scientific research, curriculum development, and social service.

In research, CSMHR faculty has led and participated in numerous national, provincial, and inter-university projects, covering topics such as science curiosity, youth development in adverse family contexts, career development among international students, and doctoral talent cultivation. These efforts have established a multi-level, cross-cultural research support network.

In 2024 alone, the team published 13 papers as first or corresponding authors in Nature sub-journals, top-tier SSCI Q1 journals, and leading Chinese academic outlets. Several studies have already been cited by international scholars or included in policy briefs, demonstrating the Center’s strong research productivity and growing policy impact.

IV. Teaching and Talent Educating

In teaching, the five faculty members jointly offer 12 courses covering doctoral, master’s, undergraduate, and international students, all receiving excellent student evaluations, with most rated Grade A.

One notable example is the doctoral-level course “Psychology of Growth”, developed based on large-scale surveys of doctoral students’ psychological needs. The course was immediately filled upon release and received exceptionally high satisfaction ratings.

The Center’s faculty pursues excellence in teaching quality:

• Two members have won First and Second Prizes in SJTU Young Teachers’ Teaching Competition.

• Four members have received the WCU Teaching Excellence Award.

• The team has completed two“AI + Education”teaching innovation projects and one curriculum design innovation project under the university’s Teaching Development Center.

In supervision, CSMHR faculty have collectively guided 32 graduate students (with 8 graduates). Many students have received national honors, such as the Tian Jiabing Teaching Skills Award, Shanghai Outstanding Graduate, and National Scholarship. Graduates have continued their careers or studies at top domestic and international universities and high schools, forming a strong academic legacy and demonstrating outstanding educational outcomes.

V. Social Service: Extending Psychological Support from Campus to Society

The Center regards social service as a natural extension of the university’s mission. Each year, CSMHR organizes over ten public lectures and training workshops for school teachers and students, community members, and professional organizations.

Topics include cross-cultural adaptation, anti-bullying, teacher self-care, and mental preparation for entrance examinations, benefiting educators, parents, and young people.

The “Infinite Mental Power”(心力无限) lecture and workshop series, launched during the 2022 pandemic, has evolved into a signature outreach brand. Initially focused on psychological support during COVID-19, it has since expanded to five successful sessions, becoming a major platform for psychological education and public engagement both inside and outside SJTU.

Beyond public events, CSMHR faculty also serve as psychological advisors for multiple schools and have produced high-quality outreach materials, such as the Student Academic Burnout Handbook and the “Cultivating Curiosity” series in Shanghai Education magazine. These contributions provide professional support for building school mental health systems.

Moreover, CSMHR members actively engage in admissions, internship partnerships, professional master’s education, international student recruitment, and student mentorship, offering comprehensive and multidimensional support for the School of Education’s talent development system.

VI. Future Outlook: Interdisciplinary Integration and “SJTU Wisdom”

As Shanghai Jiao Tong University celebrates the 40th anniversary of its education discipline re-establishment and the 5th anniversary of the School of Education, CSMHR looks ahead to further integrating interdisciplinary research and practice.

Leveraging SJTU’s strong interdisciplinary foundation, the Center will continue to position psychology as a vital bridge between the natural sciences and education, maintaining a focus on educational practice while advancing research excellence.

The Center is committed to developing a “SJTU Model” for promoting school mental health, characterized by scientific rigor, practical effectiveness, and interdisciplinary collaboration—contributing “SJTU Wisdom” to the psychological well-being and positive development of students and teachers nationwide.