Provision of Mental Health Screening and Counseling Services for Residents Aged 19 and Over at 7 Psychiatric Medical Institutions in Jung-gu, Seoul
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Recently, the number of people complaining of depression, anxiety, and lethargy has increased due to COVID-19, and stress is also rising as daily life is restricted by social distancing measures.
In response, Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seoyangho) is partnering with local medical institutions to provide mental health checkups and counseling services to residents suffering from depression and stress. This aims to detect mental illnesses early and guide patients to treatment to prevent chronic conditions.
The service is available to all Jung-gu residents aged 19 and older.
If residents receive mental health checkups or counseling at designated mental health medical institutions in the area, medical expenses will be supported up to three visits. The costs will be claimed by the medical institutions to the public health center and paid differentially according to the number of visits.
The medical institutions include seven locations: Malgeunmaeum Clinic, Sangroksu Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Yoon Psychiatry Clinic, Hanmaru Psychiatry Clinic, Park Joohyeong Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Sujeong Mental Health Clinic, and The Mental Health Clinic.
The treatment process begins with a primary screening test and mental health evaluation for mental illnesses such as depression. If classified as a high-risk group (treatment group), additional counseling sessions (second and third stages) are provided. The counseling is an in-depth session conducted before medication treatment. However, those already receiving treatment at psychiatric clinics (including other institutions) are not eligible for this service.
Follow-up care is also thoroughly conducted. If the screening results classify a person as high-risk, they are connected to the Jung-gu Mental Health Welfare Center or referred to psychiatric specialists at hospitals or clinics for continuous treatment. Low-risk individuals are also supported through monitoring and treatment assistance.
Last year, the Jung-gu Public Health Center provided mental health checkups to 106 residents and conducted 216 counseling sessions, helping to detect mental health issues early and support treatment.
A representative from the Jung-gu Public Health Center stated that this year they plan to continue promoting early detection of mental illnesses to prevent chronic conditions, improve negative perceptions of mental health counseling, and raise awareness of the importance of early treatment.
Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "I hope that residents exhausted by COVID-19 will nurture their mental health, improve their quality of life, and regain vitality in their daily lives."
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