Seocho-gu Strengthens Mental Health Service Support with 'Overcoming Corona Blue' Contest

COVID-19 Blue High-Risk Group Receives 'Seocho Psychological Quarantine Coupon'; Cost Support for Tests and Treatment at Partner Psychiatric Institutions... Mind Care Set with Companion Plants, Stress Balls, Coloring Books Provided to Support Residents' Mental Stability... COVID-19 Blue Overcome 3-Event Series

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) will distribute the ‘Seocho Psychological Quarantine Coupon’ starting from the 28th to residents exposed to the risks of so-called ‘Corona Blue,’ such as depression and isolation caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and will provide a comprehensive mental care set to help maintain mental health.

The district operates psychological counseling services at the Seocho-gu Public Health Center Mental Health Center. Any Seocho resident can receive a free one-on-one consultation with a mental health professional to assess their mental state and receive specialized case management services including medication and symptom management.

Residents can also participate in regularly operated emotional stabilization programs, and if necessary, medical expense support (prioritized for low-income groups) is provided to facilitate connections to psychiatric medical institutions or specialized treatment centers.

In addition, the district strengthens connections with psychiatric medical institutions by providing the ‘Seocho Psychological Quarantine Coupon’ to high-risk groups of Corona Blue. After receiving the coupon and calling the health center for procedural guidance, residents can visit contracted local clinics to receive psychiatric consultations, with counseling costs supported (up to 3 sessions/maximum 80,000 KRW).

Furthermore, to help residents regain psychological stability and support healthy daily life, the district has prepared a mental care set consisting of companion plants, emotion diaries, stress balls, and coloring books. These sets will be distributed not only to Mental Health Center members but also to general residents experiencing stress from COVID-19, such as those in self-quarantine (companion plants provided).

This enhanced mental quarantine project is expected to prevent deterioration of residents’ mental health and alleviate stress caused by COVID-19.

For more details, contact the Seocho-gu Public Health Center Mental Health Center.

Seocho-gu is also conducting three types of events to overcome Corona Blue for residents exhausted by COVID-19. The events include ▲‘Pat Pat Hope Message’ content contest ▲Mental Quarantine Acrostic Poem Contest ▲‘How I Overcame Corona Blue’ comment writing event.

The ‘Pat Pat Hope Message’ content contest invites submissions of videos, card news, webtoons, and other content on themes such as personal Corona Blue coping methods, tips for staying at home, and cheering for Seocho with enthusiasm. Ten winners will be awarded a total prize of 1,000,000 KRW through expert judging.

The acrostic poem contest under the theme ‘Mental Quarantine is Needed Too’ and the comment writing event ‘I Overcame Corona Blue by Doing ○○○○’ will be held simultaneously on the Seocho-gu Office website and SNS (Facebook, Instagram). Through a lottery, 160 participants will receive chicken and coffee gifticons.

The event participation period is from September 25 to October 11. Detailed information can be found on the Seocho-gu Office website. The district plans to promote the winning works through the district office website, SNS, electronic billboards, and use them in various district promotional materials.

Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “As COVID-19 prolongs, many residents are psychologically shrinking. We have strengthened mental health services to comfort residents and prepared events to bring vitality to staying at home.”