Over 4,000 Elderly Completed Depression Screening, 7.5% High-Risk Group Managed with Hard Work
Wando County conducted depression screenings for over 4,000 elderly individuals using senior centers, including those living alone, to prevent and manage depression among the elderly. (Photo by Wando County)
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) announced that as a psychological quarantine measure due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, it has conducted depression screenings since May for about 4,000 elderly people using senior centers, including those living alone, to prevent and manage depression among the elderly.
Currently, the elderly population in Wando-gun is 15,946, accounting for 31.4% of the total population, of which 2,004 (3.9%) are elderly living alone.
Since May, the county has been conducting depression screenings to assess the elderly's feelings of depression caused by COVID-19. Among 3,982 screened individuals, 1,842 (46.3%) were normal, 1,843 (46.3%) showed mild depression, and 297 (7.5%) reported severe depression.
This appears to be due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic causing the suspension of frequently visited senior centers and senior universities, leading to boredom and loneliness among the elderly, which increases depression.
Accordingly, the county has begun special management for 297 high-risk elderly individuals (7.5%) who reported severe depression.
The management method consists of three stages: Stage 1 involves revisits to the Mental Health Welfare Center and public health centers/clinics for health checks and counseling-based depression re-screening; Stage 2 includes in-depth counseling by Wando County’s mental health advisory doctor (Choi Bong-gil, Director of Haenam Hyemin Hospital); Stage 3 involves medication treatment according to symptoms alongside continuous case management by the Mental Health Welfare Center.
Additionally, to restore mental health and facilitate early return to daily life, which have been suppressed due to COVID-19, depression prevention education and suicide prevention education are being conducted mainly at senior universities and senior centers. Starting in September, a treatment program will be operated targeting high-risk groups requiring management in four areas including Wando-eup.
Kim Seon-jong, Director of Wando County Health and Medical Center, stated, “Depression is a common illness like a cold that anyone can get, but if not properly treated, it can significantly reduce quality of life and even threaten life. Since early detection and treatment are crucial, I hope people do not hesitate to undergo depression screening and counseling.”
※ For inquiries related to depression screening, guidance is available through the Wando County Mental Health Welfare Center.
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