Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Recruiting Participants for Youth Depression and Anxiety Healing Program

16-Week Healing Program at Yongin and Daegu Didim Centers
Class Days Recognized During Participation Period

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced on the 9th that it is recruiting participants for a healing program for adolescents experiencing depression, anxiety, and internet and smartphone overdependence.

This program will be conducted over 16 weeks at the Didim Centers in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and Daegu. The Yongin Didim Center is recruiting 60 elementary, middle, and high school students until the 24th of this month, while the Daegu Didim Center is recruiting 24 middle and high school students until July 22. Applications can be submitted through the Didim Center website or local youth counseling and welfare centers.

The Didim Center is a residential healing facility for adolescents aged 9 to 18 who experience emotional and behavioral difficulties. It offers programs such as counseling therapy, alternative education, life protection, career exploration, and independence support. It is designated as an alternative education entrusted institution by 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education nationwide, and the number of class days during program participation is recognized.

During the residential period, family professional counselors (family mentors) regularly visit the homes to advise family members on communication methods and parenting attitudes. Post-management programs include a Homecoming Day for graduates visiting the center and long-term effect measurements for graduates and their guardians.

According to the psychological test results before and after admission of adolescents at the Yongin Didim Center over the past three years, risk indices such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder decreased by an average of 23.2%, while positive indices such as self-satisfaction and self-esteem increased by an average of 16.5%.

Kim Kwon-young, Youth Policy Officer at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "With the opening of the Daegu Didim Center at the end of last year, we can support healing programs for more adolescents," adding, "We will strive to expand regional centers for better accessibility and provide professional treatment and rehabilitation services."