Until recently, seeking psychological help was regarded as degrading, as it was closely associated with poor mental health. Today, college students are scrambling for a chat with the psychologist.

Rather than focusing on the treatment of mental illness, “on campus” psychologists now help the students to realize their own potential. An expert in psychology from the Tsinghua University says as well as mental defects, there are issues of a more common nature to be addressed, such as ineffective communication, egoism, and lack of confidence in the face of failure. Students with a healthy psyche can do much better in their studies if given proper guidance on how to deal with these “normal” problems.

The paper suggests that psychological assistance should be extended to all college students. It should not be limited to the mentally ill.

( Beijing Morning Post 11/11/2002)