On April 21, Dong-gu District in Gwangju announced that it has begun delivering the "Hope Delivery" packages to 20 individuals identified as high-risk for mental health issues or suicide, who have refused mental health services. The initiative is being carried out in a non-face-to-face manner to reach out to these individuals.
The "Hope Delivery" project aims to encourage service engagement among high-risk individuals for mental health issues or suicide, even if they have not consented to receiving mental health services. By maintaining ongoing interest through non-face-to-face approaches, the project seeks to facilitate service intervention. The program will operate once a month until December.
Currently, half of those who have attempted suicide refuse intervention, and mental health services cannot be provided without their consent. Therefore, the project was created to establish relationships through non-face-to-face methods, which tend to be less likely to cause resistance.
The delivery package includes a QR-based self-assessment form for mental well-being, information on support organizations, brochures about mental health and addiction centers, daily necessities for personal care, and health information. Each month, the program focuses on a different theme, such as meals, sleep, physical health, mood, and social relationships. The Hope Delivery packages are distributed by the Dong-gu Life Guardians Practice Group, which is composed of local residents, and each recipient will receive one-on-one close monitoring and support.
Lim Taek, head of Dong-gu District, stated, "It is necessary to provide ongoing attention to those who refuse mental health services in order to alleviate their sense of isolation," and added, "We will continue our efforts to ensure that individuals at high risk for mental health issues or suicide can be brought into the safety net and lead healthy lives within the local community."
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