Seocho-gu Supports Psychological Counseling Fees for 80 Adolescents at Private Institutions

District supports up to 960,000 KRW per year per person for counseling fees at private counseling centers for youth aged 9 to 24

This month, two private specialized institutions selected through a public contest... Providing demand-oriented customized counseling such as comprehensive psychological testing

Jeon Seong-su, District Mayor, “We will continue to support so that young people, the hope of the future, can grow happily with a healthy mind”

Seocho-gu (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) is launching the ‘Private Counseling Center Fee Support Project’ this month to respond to the increasing counseling demand from youth in crisis, such as those experiencing depression or dropping out of school, and to reduce residents’ financial burden.

Through this project, the district will support 50% of counseling fees at private counseling centers for up to 80 local youths aged 9 to 24 who wish to receive counseling. Support is available up to 960,000 KRW per person per year. Low-income children and youth eligible for the ‘Child and Youth Psychological Support Service’ are excluded from this support.

Residents wishing to apply must visit the local Youth Counseling and Welfare Center to undergo necessary assessments for counseling. Based on this, the center identifies candidates and, after a case review committee, selects those who require specialized counseling or cannot be served internally, then connects them to private counseling centers.

This month, through a public contest, the district selected two private counseling centers within the area where clinical psychologists specializing in mental health are employed and youth psychological evaluations are available. The selected institutions provide demand-oriented customized counseling services, including in-depth counseling that the Youth Counseling and Welfare Center cannot offer, comprehensive psychological testing, and medication treatment.

The payment method is that the beneficiary pays only 50% of the counseling fee to the private counseling center, and the district transfers the remaining 50% to the center’s account after reviewing supporting documents. After counseling at the private institution, the district also conducts continuous follow-up management through case monitoring to check counseling effectiveness and changes in the counselee.

Meanwhile, the district carries out various projects for the healthy growth of youth. First, it supports 9,000 KRW per child meal card for youths under 18 at risk of food insecurity, and through the youth parent childcare support project, it alleviates the burden of child-rearing. Last year, it also provided about 28 million KRW in living expenses and academy fees to 26 youths in crisis facing economic difficulties.

District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “I hope that professional counseling will help resolve youths’ worries and promote mental health through psychological stability. We will continue to support so that young people, the hope of the future, can grow happily with a healthy mind.”