As life grows more demanding, Gen Z’s mental health is getting more attention from brands. Soul App, a social platform with a large young audience, has long focused on supporting emotional well-being. This year, in collaboration with the Shanghai Mental Health Center, Soul is turning Shanghai Expo Culture Park into the first-ever “Poetry & Music Healing Exhibition.”
From 27 May to 9 June, the exhibition is open to the public with more than 20 poetry installations spread throughout the park. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Soul partnered with JD.com, Zeekr, and NARAKA: BLADEPOINT to host a wellness-themed market offering snacks and fun activities. On Children’s Day, Soul collaborated with Tencent Music and Kuwo Music to hold a live concert featuring artists like Wang Yitai and Huang Ling, offering a musical “soul spa” to the crowd.
In recent years, terms like burnout, slacking, loneliness, procrastination, and disconnection have become common in youth conversations. As of March 2024, Weibo topics related to youth anxiety had racked up more than 160 million views. A report by the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that anxiety and depression levels among 18- to 34-year-olds are higher than in any other adult age group. The message is clear: mental health is no longer something we can overlook.
The choice to host the event in a park wasn’t random. Neuroscience studies show that constant exposure to billboards, traffic, and other city noise pushes the brain to release stress hormones. The rising popularity of “park healing” reflects two competing needs: the desire to escape and the need to stay grounded. Soul’s message is simple. You don’t have to run from the city or change your life. Just find a little green in the gray, and give yourself five quiet minutes each day to pause.
During the event, Soul’s Just So Soul Research Institute released the 2025 Gen Z Emotional Landscape Report. It found that Gen Z draws emotional energy from four key sources: social connection, quiet solitude, public spaces, and music. Based on these insights, Soul curated this poetry and music journey to help young people recharge and reflect. It’s also a call to society to take mental health more seriously—and a reminder to Gen Z that their emotions are seen, understood, and held with care.