Gangseo-gu Supports Mental Health of Students at 57 Elementary and Middle Schools

Operating the 'Maeum Geongang Hakgyo' Program
Aiming to Prevent Depression and Support Early Detection and Treatment of High-Risk Mental Health Groups

Students receiving life respect education as part of the Mind Health School project. Provided by Gangseo-gu.

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) is receiving great responses for operating the 'Mind Health School' project aimed at promoting the mental health of students and teachers.

Organized by the Gangseo-gu Mental Health Welfare Center, this project aims to prevent depression and support early detection and treatment of high-risk groups for mental health. The main components include mental health checkups, life respect education, and mental health education, targeting students, teachers, and parents at 57 elementary and middle schools in the area.

The district visits schools that apply for counseling and conducts mental health checkups such as self-diagnosis of depression for students and teachers. For those classified as high-risk, one-on-one in-depth evaluations with parents are provided for elementary students, and customized group programs are offered for middle school students, along with treatment and psychological counseling based on the evaluation results.

Additionally, through visiting life respect education, the project enhances proper understanding of the value of life and raises awareness of suicide prevention. Mental health education for parents is also held to help them understand and effectively cope with their children's anger and depression, and mental health brochures provide information on the characteristics of childhood and adolescence.

In November, the district plans to evaluate the outcomes of the Mind Health School project and hold a certification ceremony for four schools that actively participated in the project.

Oh Young-wook, Director of the Health Center, stated, "The Mind Health School project is an important initiative that comprehensively manages the mental health of our local youth. Schools, families, and the community will cooperate to support students' emotional stability and happy school life."

Meanwhile, in the first half of this year, mental health education was conducted at 57 schools, and 647 individuals from six schools confirmed their mental health status through mental health checkups. Among them, 119 people (18%) identified as having mental health difficulties received support such as in-depth evaluations by psychiatrists and mental health professionals, counseling, and linkage to psychological counseling centers.

For more details, contact the Gangseo-gu Health Management Division or the Gangseo-gu Mental Health Welfare Center.