To mark World Mental Health Day, the Cambridge Department—together with our school counsellor—prepared simple, meaningful “mindfulness cards” for students across the school. Each card carries a short reminder or word of encouragement: pause and breathe, notice how you feel, check in with a friend, take a movement break, or practise gratitude. The message is clear and age-appropriate: mental health matters, and it touches all of us.

During break time, teachers distributed the cards and invited students to read, swap, and compare their messages. This gentle activity opened up natural conversations about what mental health is, how we look after it, and how we can support one another. By design, the cards turn a big topic into small, practical steps students can use throughout the day.

Mindfulness is the simple skill of paying attention to the present moment—your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings—without judgement. For students, it can improve focus, reduce stress, and build emotional awareness. Mindfulness gives children tools to pause before reacting, to speak kindly to themselves, and to recognise when they might need support. And it contributes to overall wellbeing. Wellbeing is a transdisciplinary concept within the framework of our school’s Cambridge programme, meaning it is woven through subjects and routines rather than taught in a single lesson. Activities like the mindfulness cards help students develop healthy habits that support learning: calm bodies, clear minds, and respectful relationships. In short, wellbeing strengthens both academic progress and personal growth.

While the initiative grew from the Cambridge team, it reflects IGS Hefei’s mission and vision: a caring, holistic education that nurtures character, resilience, and global citizenship. Mental health is important for everyone. Whether students learn in German or English, they share the same need for balance, belonging, and strategies that help them thrive.

We are grateful to our counsellor, teachers, and students for embracing World Mental Health Day with such openness. Small routines make a big difference.