Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jong-sik) announced on the 4th that it will prioritize support for medical consultations and treatment costs related to mental health for high-risk students in areas affected by recent wildfires who are experiencing trauma.
This measure has been established to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among students and to promote their return to school by providing psychological stability through early intervention.
The Gyeongbuk Office of Education is offering various psychological healing programs for students affected by wildfires. The Wee Center and Mental Health Welfare Center will collaborate to visit shelters and schools in person to provide counseling and will conduct psychological assessments to promptly identify high-risk students.
In addition, mental health professionals will visit the sites to conduct depression screenings, event impact scale evaluations, and individual interviews. If necessary, they will connect students to specialized treatment institutions for ongoing support.
Emergency treatment cost support will also be provided to high-risk students. The Gyeongbuk Office of Education plans to provide up to 3 million KRW per student for medical consultations and psychological treatment, including medication costs. Applications for treatment cost support can be made through the school principal, and funds will be provided in advance to ensure swift assistance.
Furthermore, under the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, Hwarang Education Center will operate programs for middle and high school students such as forest therapy, art and music therapy, and resilience training. For high-risk students, an intensive healing camp accompanied by a professional counseling teacher will be provided. In addition, a 'Mindfulness Family Camp' will be organized for affected students and their parents to offer family-based psychological therapy and emotional stability support.
Lim Jong-sik, Superintendent of the Gyeongbuk Office of Education, stated, "We will actively support students affected by wildfires so they can quickly regain psychological stability and return to their studies," and added, "We will continue to build a sustainable psychological support system in cooperation with the local community."
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