Gangbuk-gu, 'Mental Health Screening Test' via QR Code

Two Types of Tests for General Depression and Postpartum Depression... Psychological Counseling Services and Medical Treatment Referral Provided if High-Risk Group Identified

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is launching a ‘Mental Health Screening Test’ using QR codes.

Any resident can take a mental health test by scanning the QR code with their smartphone.

There are two mental health questionnaires: one for general depression and one for postpartum depression. Users can scan the QR code corresponding to the test they wish to take.

The evaluation uses the self-diagnostic depression screening tool (PHQ-9) to identify depressive disorders and assess the risk of extreme choices. The score generally ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. The 'PHQ-9' is also used in the national health screening.

Gangbuk-gu plans to classify those scoring 10 or above as high-risk and will contact them individually to provide psychological counseling. Depending on the respondent’s mental health issues, tailored case management such as stress counseling will be offered through the Gangbuk-gu Mental Health Welfare Center. For high-risk groups, a suicide tendency test (Mini-Plus) will also be conducted, and if treatment is necessary, connections to local medical institutions will be made. This test is an essential diagnostic method to check thoughts, intentions, and behaviors related to extreme choices.

Additionally, the district has distributed promotional materials to multi-use facilities such as welfare centers and pharmacies to detect residents feeling down at an early stage.

In particular, posters containing QR codes were delivered to obstetrics and gynecology clinics and postpartum care centers for mothers suffering from postpartum depression. Efforts will also focus on promoting non-face-to-face testing through multi-channel media such as social networking services (SNS).

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “The goal of the mental health screening test is to help relieve feelings of frustration, sadness, and lethargy and to restore daily life.” He added, “We will expand the ‘non-face-to-face mental health project’ to support residents struggling with COVID-19 blues (depression).”