How Educational Involution Gives Rise to the 'Empty-hearted Generation | Kaiwen Xu | TEDxShenzhen
The rising prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents has emerged as a critical societal concern, with frequent news reports underscoring its urgency. Dr. Xu Kaiwen, founder of Daru Psychology, a Peking University-trained clinical psychology Ph.D., and practicing psychiatrist, addresses this crisis through his groundbreaking concept of "empty heart syndrome" (Kongxin Bing). Drawing on decades of clinical expertise, he contextualizes this phenomenon within adolescent psychology and proposes actionable solutions to combat the growing sense of existential void plaguing younger generations. Dr. Xu Kaiwen, founder of Daru Psychology, is a Peking University-trained clinical psychology PhD and licensed psychiatrist. Growing up in Suzhou's Daru Alley, he developed a profound connection with traditional Chinese wisdom. Committed to bridging Western psychology with Chinese cultural heritage, he established Daru Psychology in August 2018 to develop culturally attuned mental health services, guided by the principles of self-discipline, integrity, and innovation.
In 2016, Dr. Xu introduced the groundbreaking "Kongxin Bing" (Empty Heart Syndrome) theory at the New Oriental Family Education Forum, sparking nationwide discussion about adolescent existential crises. This framework has become essential for understanding youth mental health in China. With 27 years of clinical practice, he conducted over 30,000 counseling sessions while training thousands of mental health professionals. His expertise in psychological education and crisis intervention strategies has been sought by educational authorities nationwide, delivering lectures across multiple provincial school systems. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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