Updated on Nov 2024.

Moving to a new country, going through a breakup, losing a job, or living with mental conditions are very challenging. Yet, there’s no reason to suffer alone when one can choose to join hands with others and let the power of connection and group support encourage and heal us.

In the absence of such social support in Beijing, CandleX established the peer support group in October, 2015, with the goal to provide psychosocial support to Beijing community. It provides a safe and supportive environment for people living in and out of Beijing to share personal thoughts and experiences in small, confidential gatherings.

To understand this project, or if you’d like to read our 1st, 2nd and 3rd year support group review, please visit https://www.candlex.cn/mental-health-support-group.

CandleX Other Available Resources

• If you are in a crisis, please seek a professional immediately at the same time. Your will find useful information on our crisis page.


• If you’re more interested in how to navigate the mental health world and get more info on how to get support or get treatment, for you or someone you know, please check out our pretreament guidance program.


• If you are looking for professional support, you can check out Xiaojie Qin, our director and psychotherapist’s page.

Peer Support Key Information

• Peer support group participants: Our support groups are for people living with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or suicide ideation. The support group is especially effective for newcomers who are in situations of lack of social support, experiencing shame and guilt of having depression or people who present an elevated risk of mental illness.


• Date: Every second and fourth Tuesday (both offline by default)


• Time : 19:30-21:00


• Location: Near Dongdaqiao (Details will be communicated via a confirmation email after 4 pm, the day before each meeting)


• Language: English


• Max number: 7 people each session


• Fee: 88rmb, 30rmb for students, financial aid is available for those going through financial difficulties


• Registration via scanning QR code, or click on https://yoopay.cn/event/05475102


• Support Group coordinator will reach out via private message to confirm your registration after screening and payment.

Peer Group Principles

• We gather to share our stories and feelings, help and give each other emotional support when dealing with the difficult emotions, recognize the importance of tending to and promote our own self-care. We use guided meditation and breathing exercises to create safe, peaceful and comfortable environment for sharing.


• We shall not be held responsible for group member’s safety. We all are peers. There are no professionals in this group. CandleX will not be responsible for people engaging in self-harm or suicidal ideations. By signing up to the peer support group, I understand and agree to release CandleX and its staff or volunteers from any or all liability connected to my own participation, including but not limited to any forms of self-harm or suicide.


• Confidentiality: All information shared with the group is strictly confidential. All new participants will need to register first for eligibility screening.


• Some information related to the group dynamics and facilitation may be used for an internal debrief between facilitators and the Support Group manager to improve the quality of sessions and to empower others to set up support groups during facilitator’s training.


• No graphic description of suicide, self-harm and death as it may trigger some of the attendees.


• Please note that this is a Peer Support Group, there will be one facilitator throughout the session to monitor the progress of each session and facilitate group interactions, no professional therapists will be attending.


• We have a WeChat group (that you may join after attending at least one meeting) where you would be informed of Beijing community mental health events, as well as other information that might be helpful for your recovery.


• Community Contribution: We conduct regular internal debriefs between facilitators and the Support Group manager to ensure continuous quality check, learning and improvement. Additionally, we offer facilitator training programs to empower others to establish their own groups. During these training and debrief sessions, we handle information related to group dynamics and facilitation with sensitivity and care. We also compile an annual report on the demographics of our attendees to help the Beijing and broader community better understand our efforts and establish complementary groups, ensuring that all our initiatives are aligned and cohesive.


• If you have any concerns or feedback of the support group, we welcome you to let us know by emailing it to xiaojie.qin@candlex.cn. The concern would be handled sensitively directly by CandleX’s director.

All information can be found on our website under "Get Help".