Tackling Depression in the 3040 Generation... Geumcheon-gu Runs Mental Health Promotion Program

Resolving Various Youth Concerns and Issues, Establishing Self-Identity
Learning Proper Communication Skills Through Group Counseling and Art Therapy

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) announced that it will operate a ‘Mental Health Promotion Program for the 3040 Generation’ combining group counseling and art therapy.

The program targets the 3040 generation vulnerable to depression, such as young people who have given up job searching and women with career interruptions. The purpose is to help them resolve negative emotions and shift to positive psychology to lead a happy life.

The program includes ‘Facing Myself,’ ‘Psychodrama,’ ‘Life Keeper Education for Suicide Prevention,’ and a ‘Healing Program through Crafting.’

‘Facing Myself’ involves self-analysis through psychological temperament and personality tests (TCI), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and vocational aptitude tests (HOLLAND). Based on the test results, participants receive in-depth counseling with professional counselors. Participants can visit Geumcheon-gu Mind ‘Rest’ according to their personal schedules, receiving two basic counseling sessions with additional sessions available.

In ‘Psychodrama,’ young people who fear employment, have experienced workplace ostracism, or sexual violence directly participate in psychodrama to express their inner problems and find ways to overcome them.

‘Life Keeper Education for Suicide Prevention’ provides information and knowledge about suicide prevention and teaches how to actively respond in suicide crisis situations. ‘Life Keepers’ play a role in early detection of suicide crisis signals around them, maintaining continuous interest, and connecting individuals to professional institutions.

The ‘Healing Program through Crafting’ is conducted in two sessions. In the first session, participants create an atmospheric lamp (herbarium mood lamp) by placing flowers and a special preserving solution with preservation functions into a glass bottle. Afterwards, they explore their unconscious mind while looking at the completed work and take time to soothe negative emotions.

In the second session, through the program ‘Emotion, Your Name Is,’ participants learn the importance and characteristics of emotions, use emotion cards to reflect on their feelings, and share stories with other participants.

Additionally, participants make their own facial mist, learning how to shift to positive thinking whenever they smell the scent.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, stated, “Psychological difficulties faced by young people in modern society are increasing, making professional counseling and therapy more important. I hope this program will help young people regain mental stability and serve as an opportunity to create a happier life.”