Campus lighthouse, light up the heart
In October, the ginkgo leaves of Tsinghua University shone brightly with golden yellow. Mo Xiaoyu walked along the familiar tree-lined path. This time, she wasn't there to give a speech, but to attend the launch ceremony of the "Campus Spiritual Lighthouse" project. To her surprise, the host of the launch ceremony was none other than Xiao Yang, who had fallen into despair due to campus loans six months earlier.
"Classmates," Xiao Yang said, standing at the podium in the auditorium, his voice clear and confident. "One year ago today, when I stood here, I was still someone who needed to be saved. Today, I want to tell you that everyone has moments of confusion. What matters is how we find our way out."
The audience was filled with students, many of whom were attracted by Xiao Yang's circle of friends - she often shares her own mental journey on social media, and has touched many of her peers with her real stories.
After the launch ceremony, Xiao Yang took Mo Xiaoyu to visit their newly built "Spirit Station." This space, located on the second floor of the Student Activity Center, is affectionately called the "Lighthouse" by the students.
"Everything here was designed based on the students' ideas," Xiao Yang said, pushing open the glass door. "We've set up quiet areas, conversation corners, and even this emotional venting room."
Mo Xiaoyu noticed that the wall was covered with sticky notes, each containing the students' thoughts:
"I finally dared to speak in class today!"
"Breakup hurts, but I know it will get better."
"Thank you to the friends at the Lighthouse for letting me know I'm not alone."
"Every day we update these sticky notes," Xiao Yang explained, "so that everyone can see that change is happening."
Just then, a boy wearing black-framed glasses walked in timidly. Xiao Yang immediately went to greet him: "Li Zhe, you're here!"
Later, Xiao Yang explained to Mo Xiaoyu that Li Zhe was a graduate student in the Computer Department. He had been suffering from insomnia for a week because his supervisor criticized his experimental data.
"Let me talk to him." Xiao Yang said to the volunteer on duty.
Mo Xiaoyu sat in a nearby rest area, observing Xiao Yang's counseling process. She was surprised to find that this girl, who once needed help, was now able to skillfully use listening skills and ask inspiring questions at the right time.
Twenty minutes later, when Li Zhe left, the gloom on his face had obviously dissipated a lot.
"How did you do it?" Mo Xiaoyu asked curiously.
Xiao Yang smiled and said, "Because I've been through even more desperate times than he has. I know what people need most in those situations—not great principles, but a feeling of being understood."
This peer-to-peer mentoring model is the core concept of the "Campus Lighthouse" program. The program recruits students who have experienced and overcome psychological difficulties and, after professional training, become "lighthouse keepers," providing initial psychological support to other students.
"It's easier to build trust among people of the same age," Li Xiaoyu wrote in her project plan. "They speak a common language and face similar challenges."
However, the project was not smooth sailing. Two weeks later, Xiao Yang hurried to the foundation office.
"Teacher Mo, there's a problem. A parent has complained, saying it's 'unprofessional' for us to have students receive psychological counseling."
It turned out that after a student's parent learned that his child was receiving tutoring from "Lighthouse Keeper", he went directly to the school leaders and questioned the professionalism of the program.
"I understand parents' concerns," Mo Xiaoyu said calmly, "but this is exactly the problem we want to solve."
She immediately arranged an open house for parents, where she explained in detail how the program would work:
"Our 'lighthouse keepers' have all undergone rigorous training and professional supervision. They don't replace professional counselors, but rather serve as the first line of defense," she said, showing the training course schedule. "More importantly, they can identify cases requiring professional intervention as soon as possible and make timely referrals."
To help parents understand more clearly, Xiao Yang shared her own story: "It was the timely help I received at Lighthouse that made me realize I needed professional treatment. Without the support of my peers, I might not have even been able to enter a counseling room."
At this point, a parent raised his hand and said, "I admit this project is very meaningful, but how can you guarantee the quality of the tutoring?"
"That's a good question." Mo Xiaoyu pulled up a set of data. "We've established a three-tiered quality assurance system: weekly professional supervision, monthly performance assessments, and a full-process record keeping system. More importantly..."
She nodded to Xiao Yang, who opened a video showing daily scenes at the "lighthouse." It showed that when a complex situation arose, the "lighthouse keeper" would immediately initiate a referral mechanism to contact the foundation's professional counselors.
"We are not taking risks, but building a more complete support network," Mo Xiaoyu concluded.
After the open house, the parent who had complained stayed behind and said, "Ms. Mo, I apologize for my earlier doubts. Seeing the growth of these children has truly touched me."
What is even more gratifying is that this parent took the initiative to offer to fund the expansion of the project.
Following the successful pilot of the "Campus Lighthouse" program at Tsinghua University, other universities flocked to learn from it. Li Xiaoyu led a team to develop a standardized operating manual and training system, which they began promoting nationwide.
During this process, Mo Xiaoyu paid special attention to cultivating Xiao Yang's leadership skills. She asked Xiao Yang to participate in the preparation of training materials and even represent the project at university exchange meetings.
"I dare not..." Xiao Yang waved his hands repeatedly when he received this task for the first time.
"Remember how nervous you were when you first took duty at the Lighthouse?" Mo Xiaoyu encouraged him. "Now you're able to calmly help so many students."
At Mo Xiaoyu's insistence, Xiao Yang bravely accepted the task. Surprisingly, her performance at the exchange meeting won her a standing ovation. Student representatives from other universities expressed their deep inspiration for Xiao Yang's experience.
"It turns out that people who have experienced difficulties can really become a light for others." After the exchange meeting, Xiao Yang said to Mo Xiaoyu excitedly.
Three months after the program launched, the "Campus Lighthouse" initiative has expanded to over 20 universities in Beijing and trained nearly 500 "Lighthouse Keepers." What makes Mo Xiaoyu most pleased is that the program is starting to have a chain reaction.
One day, Li Xiaoyu rushed into the office excitedly: "Teacher, look at this!"
She handed over a report with data showing that the proportion of students seeking professional psychological counseling has increased in schools that have implemented the "Campus Lighthouse" program.
"What does this mean?" Li Xiaoyu couldn't hide her excitement. "It means that 'Lighthouse' isn't a replacement for professional services, but a bridge to them!"
Even more touching is that many former recipients have volunteered to become "Lighthouse Keepers." Li Zhe, the graduate student who once suffered from insomnia due to his advisor's criticism, has now become the "Lighthouse Keeper" of his college.
"I want to help more people like me who are not good at expressing themselves," Li Zhe wrote in his application letter, "and let them know that asking for help is not weakness, but courage."
As the end of the semester approached, Mo Xiaoyu received a special invitation to attend the annual summary meeting of "Campus Lighthouse". To her surprise, this meeting was organized entirely by the students themselves.
Entering the venue, she saw Xiao Yang calmly delivering his annual report on the stage. Seated below were not only students, but also leaders from various schools and parent representatives.
"This year, we received a total of 3,278 consultations," Xiao Yang said confidently, "and successfully referred 186 cases requiring professional intervention. More importantly, we witnessed countless moments of growth..."
Listening to Xiao Yang's report, Mo Xiaoyu's thoughts drifted back to the moment he first met her in the hospital six months ago. From needing to be rescued to saving others, this girl's transformation is the perfect example of the significance of "Campus Beacon."
After the meeting, Xiao Yang approached Mo Xiaoyu and asked, "Teacher Mo, I'm graduating next semester. But I want to continue working in mental health. Do you think I can?"
"Aren't you already doing it?" Mo Xiaoyu asked with a smile.
She handed Xiao Yang a letter of appointment: "The foundation has established a new youth project department, and I'd like you to be in charge."
Xiao Yang took the offer letter, his eyes slightly reddened. "A year ago, I couldn't imagine I'd be where I am today."
"This is the meaning of 'lighthouse'." Mo Xiaoyu looked out the window at the darkening sky, where tiny lights were already lighting up in the distance. "Each of us can be a light for others, illuminating the way forward."
That night, Mo Xiaoyu wrote in his diary:
"Seeing Xiao Yang's calm and confident demeanor today, I'm even more convinced: true change comes from inner awakening. Our mission isn't to always be the one holding the lamp, but to light more lamps, allowing the light to form its own galaxy. Perhaps one day, these young 'lighthouse keepers' will illuminate places we haven't yet reached."
As the night deepened, Mo Xiaoyu stood by her office window, gazing at the twinkling lights of the distant campus. She knew that beneath each light lay a growing soul, each continuing to write a heartwarming story.
The best guide is the one who has just walked through confusion
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