The nation's first dedicated psychological counseling center for firefighters has opened in Gyeonggi Province.
On July 16, the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced the official opening of the 'Gyeonggi 119 Mental Health Center' on the first floor of its headquarters building located in Paldal-gu, Suwon, and that it has begun full-scale operations.
The Gyeonggi 119 Mental Health Center was established as one of the key pledges of Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dongyeon during the eighth popularly elected administration. It aims to provide a continuous support system for treating various psychological disorders among firefighters, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, which can result from repeated exposure to large-scale fire incidents and other traumatic events.
The center covers a total area of 540 square meters and is equipped with four counseling rooms?named Onki, Byeolbit, Narae, and Ieum?as well as a play therapy room, a group counseling room, a self-healing room, and a multipurpose room. From the design stage, the layout and movement flow were meticulously planned with advice from psychiatrists and psychological experts to create a healing-centered environment.
Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters opened the 'Gyeonggi 119 Mental Health Center' on the 16th. Kim Jaebyung, head of the Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters (fifth from the right), and other attendees are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters
The center is staffed by four professional counselors, each with an average of over 20 years of experience, who provide a range of customized services, including psychological assessments, one-on-one counseling, emotional recovery programs, and intensive care for high-risk groups.
The Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters plans to expand the scope of support to include firefighters' families in the future.
Kim Jaebyung, head of the Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "'The Gyeonggi 119 Mental Health Center' is not just a space for counseling, but a starting point for institutionalizing psychological recovery. We will take responsibility for recovery even after on-site response, ensuring a stronger foundation for the lives of our firefighting family."
Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the National Fire Agency and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital found that 43.9% of firefighters suffer from psychological disorders such as depression and sleep disturbances, and 4.9% are classified as high-risk for suicide.
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