AmCham China Tianjin, in partnership with the US Embassy in Beijing, proudly hosted the ‘Mental Health Forum: Harnessing Music’s Power for Youth and Parental Relationships’ in Tianjin on August 27. The event focused on adolescent mental health and the role of music in promoting psychological well-being.
Marcus Williams, Chairman of AmCham China Tianjin, inaugurated the event and expressed gratitude to the US Embassy in Beijing for their support and encouragement of people-to-people interactions between the American and Chinese communities.
Chuck Yang, Co-chair of AmCham China Tianjin’s Education Committee and Founder/President of Fayao Education Group, served as the forum’s moderator. In his opening remarks, Yang emphasized the importance of mental health in adolescence.
In the first keynote speech, Professor Xuefeng Liu from the Opera Research Institute of Peking University discussed the role of music therapy in enhancing cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence. He also explored how fostering a positive musical environment and creating memories within families can strengthen parental relationships.
The second keynote speaker, Dr. Peng Zhao, Psychiatrist and Psychological Consultant at Tianjin United Family Hospital, focused on youth and growth. Dr. Zhao delved into the parent-child relationship in East-West culture and the psychological perspective of children’s interest in music. He highlighted that music can not only help children discover their ego identity but also build strong family bonds.
The final keynote speech was delivered by Tina Tian, the Director of Mental Health and Counseling at The Tianjin Juilliard School. Tian shed light on the mental health challenges faced by teenagers in China and shared strategies for managing emotions when early signs of mental health issues arise.
The audience was also treated to a performance by the MILA String Quartet from QingXin Ensemble.
AmCham China would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the Anglican Art Center for providing the event venue, Nice Design for the design support, and the Hard Rock Cafe Tianjin for providing refreshments. AmCham China Tianjin’s Education Committee will continue promoting youth’s mental wellness and strengthening parent-child relationships.
