[Seoul District News] Dobong-gu Offers Free CPR and AED Training for Elementary Students and Older; Apply via District Website or Phone & Practical Training on Infant CPR and Airway Obstruction Emergency Care Held Twice Daily on Weekdays ... Dongjak-gu Provides Psychological Trauma Support for Itaewon Accident Victims; Open to General Residents ... Jung-gu Life Keeper Volunteers Conduct 1:1 Case Management for Elderly Living Alone and Monitor Briquette Sales Locations
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) offers free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training year-round for residents from elementary school age and above.
The training takes place at the CPR training center located on the basement level 1 of the district office. Sessions are held twice daily on weekdays (1st session from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 2nd session from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM). Applications can be made through the Dobong-gu website, the 1365 Volunteer Portal, or by phone.
The training focuses intensively on explanations and practical exercises including ▲telephone-assisted CPR and use of automated external defibrillators (AED) ▲infant and toddler CPR ▲emergency airway obstruction first aid.
Applicants registering as family units and those who excel in training practice will receive small commemorative gifts. Youth participants will be credited with 2 hours of volunteer service time.
Specialized CPR training is provided for special occupational groups such as school staff and daycare center caregivers. Training for school staff is held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month (2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, group registrations only), and daycare caregiver training is conducted on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (2:00 PM to 6:00 PM).
Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “Following the tragic Itaewon incident, many citizens have deeply realized the importance of knowing the correct CPR methods. Dobong-gu continuously offers hands-on CPR training under expert guidance, so we encourage many people to apply and participate in the training.”
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) began operating the ‘Mind Recovery Psychological Support Team’ on the 31st of last month to prevent trauma and promote mental health for bereaved families, injured victims, and witnesses related to the Itaewon accident.
This initiative was launched because photos and videos of the accident scene were widely circulated on YouTube and social media (SNS) immediately after the Itaewon accident, raising concerns about potential psychological trauma and the need for counseling and treatment support.
The Dongjak-gu ‘Mind Recovery Psychological Support’ team consists of 14 members including psychological counselors, nurses, and social workers, and provides services to ▲bereaved families and injured victims ▲(direct and indirect) witnesses and general residents.
For bereaved families and injured victims, the National Trauma Center conducts proactive early intervention and one-on-one counseling to identify high-risk groups and connects them to specialized medical consultations and local resources as needed.
Witnesses or general residents can apply individually to receive psychological assessments and one-on-one counseling either face-to-face or remotely (by phone).
The district also provides applicants with a ‘Mind Health Psychological Support Kit’ containing mental health guides and psychological support safety supplies.
Residents wishing to receive ‘Mind Recovery Psychological Support’ can apply through the Dongjak-gu Mental Health Center.
Mayor Park Il-ha said, “The Itaewon accident has caused significant psychological shock not only to the bereaved families but also to many residents who heard the news. We will support psychological treatment not only for bereaved families and injured victims but also for the general public.”
Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) held a meeting for 2022 Life Keeper activists on the morning of the 25th at Sindang Nuri Center.
Life Keeper activists monitor neighbors at high risk of suicide and connect them to appropriate institutions and experts for help. After completing specialized training and case management education, they are qualified to work in the field. Jung-gu has produced a total of 42 Life Keeper activists.
This year, 14 activists participated in activities such as ▲one-on-one support counseling for elderly living alone ▲depression screening for visitors to the public health center ▲monitoring of lightning charcoal sales outlets ▲life respect campaigns.
Throughout the year, case management was conducted 648 times for 22 elderly individuals. Each activist provided weekly phone counseling and monthly visits to 2-3 elderly living alone, receiving positive responses from the elderly.
They also visit outlets selling lightning charcoal to instruct sellers to always ask buyers about their purchase purpose and report to counseling agencies if suicide is suspected. Since January 2022, they have monitored 16 outlets over 96 visits.
During the high suicide rate spring season, life respect campaigns were held targeting residents of small lodging houses and small business owners.
At the meeting on the 25th, Life Keeper activists shared their experiences. One activist who received a commendation from the Seoul Mayor at the 2022 Suicide Prevention Day ceremony was congratulated.
One activist said, “When I first met the elderly living alone, it was awkward, but each visit they gradually opened their hearts and showed bright expressions, which was rewarding.”
There was also a request to establish a channel for advice when difficulties arise in the field. Jung-gu Public Health Center plans to maintain frequent communication with activists and resolve issues together as they occur.
Mayor Kim Gil-seong said, “I feel reassured that Life Keeper activists check on the well-being of elderly living alone. Jung-gu will continue to carefully care for the mental health of its residents.”
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok ·photo) announced that starting from October, it has begun ‘Expanded Support for National Veterans’ to honor and boost the pride of national veterans and their families who have devoted themselves to the country, marking the start of full-scale welfare enhancement for veterans.
The ‘Expanded Support for National Veterans’ was the first approval item by Seo Gang-seok after taking office as Songpa-gu mayor, reflecting the basic philosophy and commitment of the 8th local government administration to prioritize respect and consideration for those who have dedicated and sacrificed for the nation and society.
In September, the district partially amended the Ordinance on the Treatment and Support for National Veterans in Songpa-gu and allocated an additional budget of approximately 710 million KRW. This includes ▲raising the veterans’ allowance to 100,000 KRW per month ▲establishing a condolence payment system for Korean War veterans.
The veterans’ allowance is paid by Songpa-gu to veterans residing in the district, increased from 50,000 KRW to 100,000 KRW per month, with payments starting in October. However, until the end of this year, recipients of Seoul city veterans’ honor allowances, living assistance allowances, and other related benefits are excluded. From January next year, the ordinance amendment will allow overlapping payments of both city and district veterans’ allowances.
The condolence payment for Korean War veterans is a newly established system to honor the efforts of elderly Korean War veterans. It provides an annual payment of 300,000 KRW to veterans who have been registered residents of the district for at least one year as of June 25 each year.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “We hope that the expanded support including the veterans’ allowance will enhance the pride of national veterans. We will implement veteran policies with deep respect and gratitude for those who have devoted themselves to the nation and society, sparing no budget or administrative support.”
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) operates a national health screening program for all infants and toddlers under the age of six.
The district aims to conduct periodic screenings according to the age in months, tailored to the rapid growth and development characteristics of infants and toddlers, to strengthen basic health management. The goal is also to detect early signs of growth and developmental abnormalities through screenings to reduce the prevalence of disabilities.
A total of eight screenings are conducted from 14 days to 71 months of age, covering 24 items including growth and developmental abnormalities, obesity, sudden infant death syndrome, hearing and vision impairments.
Infant and toddler health screenings are free at designated screening institutions nationwide, and nearby screening centers can be checked via the National Health Insurance Service website.
If the screening results recommend ‘advanced evaluation’ requiring detailed examination, the costs are also supported. Eligible recipients include medical aid beneficiaries, low-income groups, and infants and toddlers in the bottom 70% of health insurance premium brackets among the health screening target group.
Those eligible for detailed developmental disability examinations can undergo screening at their preferred medical institution and then submit supporting documents to the public health center to claim examination costs.
Support amounts are up to 400,000 KRW for medical aid beneficiaries and low-income groups, and up to 200,000 KRW for those in the bottom 70% of health insurance premium brackets.
If developmental disabilities are confirmed after detailed examination, the district provides follow-up care including guidance to special education support centers and linkage to rehabilitation therapy projects.
Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “We will do our best to prepare various health promotion programs beyond health screenings so that infants and toddlers, the future of Jungnang, can grow up healthy.”
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