Ordinance Bill Proposed by Representative
Passed Standing Committee Review
Kwon Gwangtaek, Chairman of the Administrative Health and Welfare Committee of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (People Power Party, Andong), announced that the “Gyeongsangbuk-do Mental Health Promotion Ordinance Full Amendment Bill,” which he proposed to establish an institutional basis for improving residents’ mental health and welfare services for people with mental disorders, passed the committee review on the 1st.
Mental disorders have a lifetime prevalence of 27.8%, meaning one in four citizens experiences mental health issues at least once in their lifetime. The rates of alcohol and nicotine use disorders, anxiety, and depression are also increasing, making mental health problems a significant concern.
This amendment changes the ordinance’s name to the “Gyeongsangbuk-do Ordinance on Mental Health Promotion and Support for Welfare Services for People with Mental Disorders,” and stipulates the establishment of plans for mental health promotion and welfare service support, the installation and operation of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Mental Health Welfare Project Support Group, and the installation and operation of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Mental Health Welfare Center.
Chairman Kwon stated, “Mental health issues tend to become chronic due to social prejudice and discrimination, which often prevent early treatment or result in frequent interruptions in care. Many people are also excluded from the local community,” adding, “Through welfare services, I hope that effective support for people with mental disorders will contribute to their social integration and the improvement of residents’ mental health.”
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