Muju County Observes "Suicide Prevention Week" Until the 19th

Life Respect Tea House,
Suicide Prevention,
and Well-being Check-in Campaigns

Muju County in North Jeolla Province is observing "Suicide Prevention Week" until September 19.

According to the county on September 18, this Suicide Prevention Week was launched to foster an atmosphere where people can care for their mental health and practice respect for life.

Exterior view of Muju County Office. Provided by Muju County

From September 6 to 14, a nationwide joint campaign was held at the Firefly Festival venue to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and encourage people to register as donors. This campaign drew attention as 177 organizations participated, including 125 local governments nationwide, 10 public institutions, and 42 medical institutions, with Muju County among them.

On September 11, a "Life Respect Tea House" event was held at the book cafe in Muju Firefly Market in Muju-eup. Activities included writing down three things to be grateful for in a day and solving a quiz about the suicide prevention hotline (109). Promotional activities using posters and information leaflets were also conducted, receiving positive responses.

Until September 19, a "Suicide Prevention and Well-being Check-in Campaign" is being carried out at the Muju-eup Administrative Welfare Center and other locations, targeting employees, users of organizations and groups participating in the Life Respect Safe Village initiative, and local residents.

At these events, information is being provided on the suicide prevention hotline (109), which residents can use, as well as crisis response social services such as SNS counseling through the "Madeulran_24-Hour Suicide Prevention Counseling Channel."

In addition, depression screening tests are being conducted for students and users at local schools, the Muju Senior Welfare Center, the Muju Disabled Welfare Center, and the Muju Regional Self-Sufficiency Center. Through the Muju branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and other channels, emotional support is being provided to vulnerable groups, along with the delivery of blankets.

Lee Jiyoung, head of the Health Administration Division at Muju County Health Medical Center, said, "This year, Suicide Prevention Week is focused on sharing the importance and practical ways of organ donation, which saves lives, and caring for mental health. We will continue to build consensus so that the 23,000 residents of our county can live with peace of mind and happiness."

Meanwhile, the county is providing integrated mental health promotion services for local residents, including awareness campaigns and education, to build a mentally healthy community, and offers psychological counseling to those experiencing emotional difficulties.

Unmanned mental health screening machines are also being operated for schools, organizations, and groups, while the county is carrying out the "Mind Connection Project" with local clinics and a support program for treatment costs to identify high-risk individuals.

Individuals with severe mental illness are registered and managed individually at the Mental Health Welfare Center of Muju County Health Medical Center, and community adaptation activities are being promoted, including weekly rehabilitation, one-on-one home visits, and programs involving families and neighbors.