Muan-gun Conducts Mental Health Survey for Seniors Aged 65 and Over

Implementation of Nae-An-Ae (愛) Program to Promote Elderly Mental Health Following a Survey

A preliminary mental health survey for the elderly is conducted to select participants for the suicide prevention project, Nae-An-Ae (愛) program. (Photo by Muan-gun)

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Muan County, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim San) announced on the 24th that it will conduct a preliminary mental health survey for the elderly to select participants for the suicide prevention project for those aged 65 and over, called the Nae-An-Ae (愛) program, until the 30th of next month.

The ‘Nae-An-Ae (愛)’ program is an abbreviation of ‘I will embrace and love you,’ designed to improve the mental health of seniors aged 65 and over who experience psychological fatigue and depressive symptoms due to meeting restrictions and social isolation caused by COVID-19 social distancing, and to establish a culture of respect for life.

The county is conducting a preliminary mental health survey consisting of six types (50 questions) using the mental health self-assessment app ‘Touch Mind’ for 105 registered members linked to rehabilitation management projects in nine towns and townships within the county.

After the survey, 15 participants who show mild or higher levels of depression on the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF) will be selected to participate in a suicide prevention education program developed by the Jeonnam Regional Mental Health Welfare Center, which will be conducted over five sessions from August to October.

In November, after the completion of the education, a post-mental health survey for the elderly will be conducted to measure the effectiveness of the program by dividing 15 participants and 15 non-participants into experimental and control groups.

Governor Kim San stated, “The suicide rate among those aged 65 and over is increasing every year, so focused management of the mental health of the elderly is absolutely necessary,” and added, “We will provide standardized suicide prevention services tailored to the characteristics of the elderly to reduce the suicide rate among seniors.”