[Interview] Seosunja, Gwanak-gu Integrated Case Manager: "Great Reward in Bringing Reclusive Youth Locked at Home for Over 20 Years to Cafes or Community Centers"

After Over 20 Years Indoors, Reclusive Youth A in Gwanak-gu Found and Supported Through Case Management to Step Outside... Plans to Improve Living Conditions by Moving from Unauthorized Single Room

Seosunja, Gwanak-gu Integrated Case Manager (Photo by Jongil Park, Asia Economy)
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“When I first visited the house, he was hiding under the blanket and didn’t say a word. But after visiting 2 or 3 times, he started to look at us.”

Seosunja, an integrated case manager (social worker) in Gwanak-gu, said this on the afternoon of April 30 at the district office, focusing on how she brought Mr. A, who had been living as a recluse at home for over 20 years, out into the world.

It was a call from a father in Gwanak-gu last January, who had a reclusive son living at home for more than 20 years without going outside. At that time, the father said, “I’m worried because my son has not left the house for over 20 years,” and asked for help.

Accordingly, Gwanak-gu’s Welfare Policy Division’s Hope Welfare Team (Team Leader Kim Mikyung) assigned integrated case manager Seosunja to take the lead in managing Mr. A’s case.

Manager Seo visits Mr. A’s home every Tuesday at 4 p.m. with a psychological counselor. On the fifth visit, she suggested, “Let’s go outside,” and after stepping out into the alley for the first time, they were able to walk together to a cafe, the local community center, and Sky Park.

When going to Sky Park, she brought kimbap to share, but he didn’t eat it and said he wanted to go home, so they returned. She also shared this story.

Manager Seo said, “Especially these days, Mr. A glances around while walking in the alley, which shows he seems to be taking an interest in the world, so I feel good.” She also said that when she finishes counseling and leaves, Mr. A watches her leave through the window. When she first visited, he was hiding under the blanket and didn’t speak, so even this level of change is a huge transformation, and she is delighted.

Recently, they have progressed to playing games like puffed rice snacks and balloon games together. Mr. A was abandoned by his mother when he was young and lived in a small room with his father. The father cannot work because of a hurt arm from construction. Manager Seo said, “Mr. A became reclusive due to the wounds of being abandoned in childhood, but he is a very gentle young man,” adding, “If he can shop for groceries and go out by himself, I consider that a success,” and “I want to help him live daily life even when his father is not around.”

Mr. A’s father also seems to feel motivated by seeing his son gradually improve, and when visiting the house, he says with a smiling face, “Thank you so much.” Especially, Gwanak-gu shows interest by having various welfare centers prepare side dishes to help lead Mr. A back into society.

Among the 176 households under case management, single-person households account for 77% in Gwanak-gu. To help these young single-person households and reclusive youths build social networks, the district operates the “Masil School,” offering one-on-one cooking classes and more. Manager Seo plans to strengthen communication by visiting Mr. A’s home and cooking together. She said, “It is very rewarding to help a young person still in their youth come out into the world and live confidently.”

However, she also explained that there were many difficulties to bring him this far. The results do not appear immediately, and it requires constant conversation and emotional effort. Manager Seo concluded, “We must continue to make efforts to develop professionalism and skills,” and “Seeing changes through case management gives me fulfillment and strength, so I will devote myself to other case managements as well.”