Mental Health Korea and National Center for Mental Health to Host "Mental Health Career Growth Camp" for Youth

Mental Health Korea announced that, in partnership with the National Center for Mental Health, it will host the "2025 Mental Health Career Growth Camp" on August 27 (Wednesday) for 100 young people aspiring to enter the mental health field.

This camp has been organized to address the growing societal demand for individuals who not only possess a deep understanding of the mental health sector but also have a clear vision and sense of mission to build a better society. In particular, the program goes beyond simple career exploration to focus on providing experiences that allow participants to expand their social vision and consider the role of a "true mental health professional" as a leader contributing to the community.

The "2025 Mental Health Career Growth Camp" is designed to enable participants to gain in-depth experience in various professions and real-world settings within the mental health field. Participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with experts in areas such as mental health social work, psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, psychiatry, counseling psychology, and occupational therapy, embarking on a journey to explore the essence and mission of these careers.

This camp is a collaborative effort involving the National Center for Mental Health and 10 leading domestic academic societies and associations related to mental health, ensuring the provision of accurate and highly reliable information. In addition, over 20 institutions?including university hospitals, the National Forensic Hospital, Wee Class, suicide prevention centers, and leading mental health startups?will have field professionals participate as mentors, engaging in intensive communication with participants and offering field-oriented career insights. These interactions are expected to serve as a decisive opportunity for participants to broaden their perspectives on the mental health field and embrace a greater social vision.

Key programs include: one-on-one academic and career counseling booths with experts from 10 leading academic societies and associations; a panel talk show featuring top experts in five fields, including psychiatry and clinical psychology; small-group mentoring sessions with practitioners from 20 leading domestic mental health institutions; and guided tours of various spaces and departments within the National Center for Mental Health, allowing participants to directly experience the workplace and interact with professionals.

Jang Eunha, Vice President of Mental Health Korea, emphasized, "Today, our society needs not just qualified professionals, but 'socially contributive leaders' who can empathize with complex social issues and propose practical solutions," adding, "I hope this camp will serve as the first step for participants to discover their potential and vision, and to grow into individuals who drive social change."

The "2025 Mental Health Career Growth Camp" is completely free of charge and will be held at the Open Auditorium on the 11th floor of the National Center for Mental Health. Any young person in their twenties aspiring to enter the mental health field is eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted from July 14 (Monday) to August 10 (Sunday) through the websites of Mental Health Korea and the National Center for Mental Health.