Gwanak-gu Embraces the Minds of 2050 Youth and Middle-aged with Psychological Counseling

Customized Psychological Support for Gwanak-gu Residents Aged 20-50 Facing Mental Difficulties
Gwanak-gu Public Health Center Mind Counseling Room Operates Free Mind Healing and Group Counseling Programs

According to the "2022 Cause of Death Statistics" announced by Statistics Korea last year, Korea had the highest age-standardized suicide rate among OECD countries at 22.6 per 100,000 people, compared to the OECD average of 10.6.

Since last year, Gwanak-gu has been operating the "Gwanak Life Love Task Force (TF)" to conduct a suicide survey and recently analyzed the main motives for suicide deaths in Gwanak-gu over the past four years (2018?2021). The results showed that mental health issues were the main cause for those in their 20s and 30s, economic life problems for those in their 40s and 50s, and physical illness for those in their 60s.

To actively respond to this, Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) is carrying out the "2050 Youth and Middle-aged Mind Embrace Project," providing customized psychological support to residents experiencing psychological difficulties such as depression and anxiety, with the goal of reducing the suicide rate by 30% by 2027.

The "2050 Youth and Middle-aged Mind Embrace Project" is a psychological support service that offers eight customized psychological counseling sessions based on mental health screening and professional psychological assessments.

Since 2022, the district has partnered with two counseling centers in the area to provide psychological support services. The number of service applications and supports has steadily increased: 1,031 cases in 2021, 1,622 cases in 2022, and 1,997 cases in 2023.

A professional psychological counselor stationed at the Gwanak-gu Public Health Center’s Mind Counseling Room conducts individual counseling and one-on-one mind healing programs to promote the psychological stability of clients from multiple angles.

Additionally, for clients experiencing difficulties in interpersonal relationships, group counseling programs (eight sessions per group) are operated to provide opportunities for members to share concerns and communicate with each other.

All psychological support projects and counseling require prior reservation, and residents wishing to receive counseling can apply through the Gwanak-gu Mental Health Welfare Center. Counseling fees are free of charge.

Mayor Park Junhee stated, “I hope that many people suffering from depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation will have the opportunity to look into their minds and heal their wounds through professional psychological counseling.” He added, “We will continue to promote various programs for the stable lives of Gwanak residents and do our best to create a mentally healthy Gwanak.”