Gwangyang-si, 'Online Depression Screening Test'

Check Your Unknown Depression Easily Online

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City, Jeonnam announced on the 23rd that, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic causing reductions in counseling, events, and face-to-face programs, leading to increased social anxiety and depression, it is conducting an online depression screening test as the first step to overcoming depression by identifying and intervening in citizens' depression.

The screening test is promoted to enhance citizens' accessibility, enabling early detection of high-risk groups for mental health and aiming to improve citizens' mental health through various program operations.

The online depression screening test will be conducted from November 15 to December 15 (one month), and the test results will be notified via phone or text message after the test ends on December 15.

Citizens can participate in the depression test through QR codes attached to the city’s SNS, banners, and posters. The personal information collected from the online depression screening test will not be used except for providing mobile cultural gift certificates after the test and offering management services for high-risk groups.

After the test ends (December 15), 4,000 participants will be randomly selected to receive mobile cultural gift certificates, and high-risk groups identified through the screening test will receive follow-up care through phone counseling, face-to-face counseling, and linkage to mental health welfare centers.

Among the selected participants, 200 will also receive a high-risk group mental health kit.

Kim Seon-ja, head of the Mental Health Team, said, “Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, feelings of depression have increased, leading to the creation of new terms like 'Corona Blue.' Through the online depression test, we aim to understand the mental health status of citizens and take a step closer to those who are struggling.”

She added, “We ask for active participation from many citizens in the online depression screening test.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr