Seongdong-gu 'Visiting Mentoring' Boosts Self-Esteem of Isolated Reclusive Youth

From August, 22 isolated and reclusive youths aged 19-39 receive 8 sessions of 1:1 psychological counseling or art therapy at their preferred location... Analysis using Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale shows self-esteem increased from an average of 24 to 29, a rise of 5 points (13%)

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that its "Visiting Mentoring" program for isolated and reclusive youth in the area has achieved meaningful results, including an increase in self-esteem.

To support youth who are becoming isolated due to failures and difficulties encountered in the overheated competitive society, such as in employment, the district has been implementing the "Visiting Mentoring" program since August targeting isolated and reclusive youth within the community.

Isolated youth are defined as those who have no meaningful interactions with others beyond family or work contacts and lack a support system to seek help, while reclusive youth refer to those living in limited spaces such as rooms or homes with almost no interaction with others or society.

The "Visiting Mentoring" program, launched for the first time this year, was based on a survey conducted by the district on socially isolated and reclusive youth and was promoted in response to the demand from youth seeking help through psychological counseling.

The program targeted youth aged 19 to 39 who reside or live in Seongdong-gu and who meet one or more of the following criteria: youth who feel they have experienced isolation or reclusion, youth who spend most of their day in a limited space such as their home, and youth who lack social networks and feel difficulty in social participation. A total of 22 youth from the area participated in the program.

To ensure participants could receive counseling comfortably, professional counselors visited cafes or shared spaces where the youth felt psychologically at ease. Each participant received eight sessions of personalized one-on-one psychological counseling or art therapy. The program emphasized continuous counseling rather than one-time sessions to enhance effectiveness.

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To objectively assess the counseling effects, the district analyzed pre- and post-program changes using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) among participants. The results showed that self-esteem scores increased by more than 5 points (13%), from a pre-program average of 24 to a post-program average of 29.

Mr. Kim, a youth who was on a break from work for about two months due to burnout, shared his experience: “Participating in the ‘Visiting Mentoring’ program allowed me to take time to understand myself more deeply through counseling, and practicing communication with others in society helped me recover emotionally.”

In 2022, the district enacted the “Ordinance on Support for Socially Isolated Youth in Seongdong-gu,” establishing an institutional foundation for isolated and reclusive youth. This year, starting in May, the district has been implementing various youth support projects, including establishing a basic plan to create a policy foundation.

Centered around the Seongdong-gu Youth Support Center, the district launched the “Seongdong-gu Social Safety Net Council” with representatives from goshiwon (small lodging houses) and related organizations to discover and prevent isolation and reclusion among youth. The program is also linked with a national government coordination office and Youth Foundation specialized project, providing socially isolated and reclusive youth with information necessary for daily life such as culture, finance, health, and networking, as well as programs to improve living environments like customized woodworking classes.

Additionally, the “Seoul Youth Center Seongdong” operates the “Youth Challenge Support Project,” which helps youth who have given up on job searching regain confidence and provides tailored services such as career exploration and employment competency enhancement.

Seongdong-gu Mayor Jung Won-oh stated, “Seongdong-gu is making great efforts to help isolated and reclusive youth, who face many difficulties amid fierce competition and rapidly changing society, recover their daily lives and mental health,” adding, “We will continue to provide more attentive care and support so that youth in the community can become healthy and independent.”