Implementation of 'Mind Investment Support Project' Providing Professional Psychological Counseling for Residents with Depression and Anxiety
Voucher for a Total of 8 Sessions Provided... Usable at Desired Institutions or Counseling Centers Regardless of Residence
Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will implement the ‘Mind Investment Support Project,’ which provides professional psychological counseling services to residents experiencing emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
The aim is to care for the mental health of residents and prevent depression and anxiety from worsening into chronic mental illnesses. In fact, South Korea ranks first among OECD countries in depression rates, but has the lowest treatment accessibility.
Through this ‘Mind Investment Support Project,’ the district intends to help residents take care of their mental health and regain a healthy daily life.
The eligible recipients are ▲those recognized as needing psychological counseling by mental health welfare centers, university counseling centers, psychiatric medical institutions, youth counseling welfare centers, etc., and ▲those who score 10 or higher on the depression scale in the national health examination’s mental health test.
To apply for the service, applicants must bring referral letters and other required documents to the resident center of their registered or actual place of residence. The application period is year-round until the budget is exhausted. There are two types of support, classified as Level 1 and Level 2 based on the qualifications, professionalism, and capabilities of the service providers. Level 1 support is 80,000 KRW, and Level 2 is 70,000 KRW, with a difference in the amount of support.
Once selected as a service recipient, a voucher will be issued within 10 days, allowing for a total of eight psychological counseling sessions. Recipients can receive counseling at any service provider institution they prefer, such as private counseling centers, regardless of their place of residence. Service provider institutions can be checked through the ‘Social Service Electronic Voucher’ or ‘Smart Seoul Map’ websites. Psychological counseling is conducted face-to-face one-on-one with experts and includes ▲depression and anxiety diagnostic tests ▲communication skills ▲and efforts to improve interpersonal relationships.
The district noted that mental health policies have so far focused on severe mental illness patients, and expects that this support will raise awareness and enable healing for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which many modern people experience.
Additionally, to improve accessibility to mental health services, the district installed ‘Mental Health Self-Check’ kiosks on the first floor of the public health center and the first floor of the Seoul Southern Employment Welfare Plus Center. Residents can receive free screenings for depression, stress, anxiety disorders, etc., and receive their diagnostic results via KakaoTalk.
Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “October 10th is also ‘Mental Health Day,’ so I hope this psychological counseling will be an opportunity to care not only for physical health but also for mental health.” He added, “We will support residents experiencing psychological difficulties to heal their mental illnesses through this support project and move toward a hopeful future.”
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