Jangseong-gun Provides Mental Health Screening for Public Officials Exhausted by COVID-19

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jo Hangyu] Jangseong County, Jeonnam announced on the 21st that it is providing mental health examinations to county officials who have been responding to the spread of COVID-19.

Since the first domestic COVID-19 patient was confirmed in February, county officials have been conducting quarantine activities to counter the repeated outbreaks of the infectious disease. The county established this examination to alleviate the mental burden of the responsible officials and to prevent depression and other issues.

Officials who wish to take the test can perform a self-diagnosis for anxiety disorder and depression via their mobile phones. If necessary, individual counseling and psychological tests are also available through the Jangseong County Mental Health Center.

Those who are assessed as being in the risk or management group based on the test results will receive counseling with a psychiatric specialist, and linkage services for medication management will also be provided.

Yoo Dooseok, Jangseong County Governor, said, “The psychological difficulties felt by frontline officials have increased due to the prolonged COVID-19 response,” and added, “We are supporting appropriate counseling and treatment so that they can overcome mental distress as soon as possible.”