Ministry of Health and Welfare 'Postpartum Care Survey' 52.6% of Mothers in 2021 Experienced Postpartum Depression for 134.6 Days
'First in Autonomous District' Central Infertility and Depression Counseling Center, Linked with National Institutions like National Health Insurance Service for Customized Support...Provides Psychological Counseling, Exercise and Nutrition Programs, Body Profile Photo Sessions, and Online Self-Help Groups
Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) has launched a postpartum depression prevention and management project to support mothers exhausted from pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Postpartum Care Status Survey,' the rate of mothers experiencing postpartum depression was 52.6% in 2021, with the duration of postpartum depression lasting an average of 134.6 days.
Prolonged postpartum depression affects not only the mother but also the emotional and behavioral development of the baby, requiring special attention. However, postpartum depression issues have been overlooked in pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare support, highlighting a policy blind spot.
In response, the district has launched the postpartum depression prevention and management project "I (Na & Ai) Happy" this year, in collaboration with national specialized institutions such as the Central Infertility and Depression Counseling Center and the National Health Insurance Service.
The "I (Na & Ai) Happy" project was initiated at the district's proposal, and Guro-gu is the first autonomous district in Seoul to collaborate with national specialized institutions to implement a comprehensive postpartum depression prevention and management project.
The project provides integrated customized support including ▲Mind Change (mental care), ▲Body Change (physical care), and ▲Sisikolkoll Chat Room (self-help group) for mothers experiencing postpartum depression within 6 months to 2 years after childbirth.
"Mind Change" offers a "Mind Change Box" containing a plant-growing kit, exercise band, and activity sheets. For high-risk groups or those who wish, up to 10 individual psychological counseling sessions are available through linkage with the Central Infertility and Depression Counseling Center.
"Body Change" provides personalized exercise and nutrition programs supported by the Guro-gu branch of the National Health Insurance Service Health Promotion Center, including support for body profile photo shoots before and after the program.
"Sisikolkoll Chat Room" is an online open chat room operated by the district, serving as a space to record and share activity progress. Beyond the program, it allows participants to freely exchange daily emotions, build bonds, and support each other to continue activities.
Applicants are selected after preliminary screening and categorized into three groups based on test results: self-management group (Group 1), caution group (Group 2), and intensive management group (Group 3), with programs tailored accordingly.
In the first session recruited in March, 50 people applied, and 30 are currently participating in the six-month program.
The district plans to expand this project at the Guro-gu Maternal and Child Health Center, opening in the second half of this year, and eventually link it with the "Seoul Baby Health First Step Project" to support all childbirth families.
A Guro-gu official said, "The postpartum depression prevention and management project is meaningful not only for strengthening social support for postpartum depression but also for collaboration with national specialized institutions," adding, "We will continue to do our best to ensure that the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth is healthy and happy."
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