Gwangju Office of Education to Conduct Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Test for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students

Early Detection of ADHD, Depression, and Suicide Risk
Treatment Costs Supported for At-Risk Students

The Gwangju Office of Education announced on the 1st that it will conduct the "Student Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Assessment" throughout April to prevent and detect emotional and behavioral issues among students at an early stage.

This assessment targets first and fourth graders in elementary school, first-year students in middle school, and first-year students in high school. It will be conducted either online or in written form, and the results will be communicated to each family via written notice. The main topics include personality traits, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and other aspects of student mental health.

Based on the assessment results, schools will provide counseling or interviews, and if necessary, refer students to specialized institutions for in-depth evaluation. For students identified as being at risk of suicide, individualized support such as parent meetings and referrals to hospitals or clinics will also be provided.

At the "Student Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Assessment Officer Briefing," Superintendent Lee Jeongseon is delivering a greeting. Provided by Gwangju Office of Education

Students classified as "at-risk" in the Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Assessment will also receive financial support for treatment.

Prior to this assessment, the city office of education held an information session from March 28 to 31 for approximately 340 staff members responsible for the Student Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Assessment. The session covered major changes in this year's assessment and instructions on using the system. Professor Kwon Youngran from the Department of Nursing at Chonnam National University delivered a special lecture on "Enhancing Understanding of Mental Health in Students at Risk and School Response Strategies."

Superintendent Lee Jungseon stated, "For children to grow up healthy, mental well-being and stress management are of utmost importance," adding, "We will proactively address student mental health issues by connecting with mental health professionals and operating hospital-type Wee Centers."