Opening of 8 Nationwide Job Trauma Counseling Centers: "Free Use and Confidentiality Guaranteed"

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] A specialized psychological counseling service will be provided for workers experiencing mental trauma (occupational trauma) caused by industrial accidents such as workplace harassment and sexual violence.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) have established Occupational Trauma Specialized Counseling Centers in eight locations nationwide, including Gwangju, Incheon, Daejeon, and Gyeongnam, and will begin full-scale operations from the 16th.

At the centers, qualified professionals with certifications in psychology and mental health, such as clinical psychologists, will provide specialized counseling programs including psychological testing, counseling, education, and follow-up management.

The program conducts psychological tests on workers and provides primary counseling based on the risk level, followed by follow-up management such as telephone monitoring. Results are provided within 15 days after counseling completion, and if necessary, information is given to connect workers with specialized treatment institutions for further care.

In workplaces where occupational trauma-related incidents or accidents occur, group trauma education is also provided to all employees for urgent psychological stabilization.

Counseling applications can be made directly by individual workers or by contacting the local KOSHA office in workplaces where related incidents or accidents have occurred. All counseling content is confidential and free of charge.

For workplaces located far away, a mobile psychological counseling center will be operated where counselors visit the workplace directly. Psychological counseling is also available via phone (1588-6497) or online (www.otccmind.com).

Previously, KOSHA operated a pilot Occupational Trauma Center at the Daegu Workers' Health Center for two years. The center supported a total of 844 workers over two years, starting with trauma prevention counseling for workers who witnessed or experienced the 2017 Samsung Heavy Industries crane overturn accident.

Park Doo-yong, Director of KOSHA, stated, "We hope the Occupational Trauma Center will contribute to the early return to work and prevention of mental illness for workers experiencing occupational trauma."