[Exclusive] Proportion of Teen Users in Mind Investment Project Drops... Double Barriers of Documentation and Parental Consent [Invisible Children] ④

Total Users Increase, but Teenagers Left Behind
No Statistics on Out-of-School Youth
Accessibility Comes First in Advanced Countries

Although the total number of users of the government's ambitious "National Mind Investment Support Project" has increased, it has been confirmed that opportunities for teenagers have actually diminished. There are concerns that at-risk youth outside the formal system are not even categorized in statistical systems, leaving them neglected in the blind spots of policy.

National Mind Investment Support Project. Ministry of Health and Welfare

According to data submitted by the office of Assemblywoman Nam Insoon of the Democratic Party of Korea, which was obtained from the Ministry of Health and Welfare on January 25, the total number of applicants for the Mind Investment Project last year was 83,443, an increase of about 1.7 times compared to 47,822 in 2024. However, when broken down by age, the proportion of children and adolescents-combining those "under 10" and "teenagers"-actually decreased from 22.9% (10,947 people) in 2024 to 20.5% (17,104 people) in 2025. In contrast, the number of users in their 20s and 30s reached 39,369 in 2025, accounting for nearly half (47.2%) of the total. As a result, teenagers are being pushed down the policy priority list, and the budget is being allocated primarily to adults, who have relatively better access.

An even more serious issue is the lack of statistical data in the Mind Investment Project. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has stated that, under the current voucher system, it is impossible to classify applicants by school level. The government is unable to determine how many of the approximately 17,000 adolescent users are out-of-school youth or whether they are actually receiving benefits. Those who are outside the school system and most in need of psychological support are being rendered invisible in policy effectiveness analyses.

The low utilization rate among teenagers is mainly attributed to complicated procedures. To use the Mind Investment Project, a referral from a mental health welfare center, youth counseling and welfare center, or Wee Center is required, and those under 19 must have parental consent. While these requirements are intended to screen eligible participants from an administrative standpoint, they serve as a critical double-entry barrier for users.

Advanced countries prioritize accessibility, making it easy for teenagers to seek help at hospitals. The most representative model is Australia's "Headspace." With over 150 centers nationwide, these facilities resemble cafes or playgrounds rather than hospitals. Anyone aged 12 to 25 can use the services free of charge, and initial consultations are available without parental consent.

France's "Maison des Adolescents" also strictly upholds anonymity. To accommodate teenagers who fear having medical records, they can meet with a team of professionals-including doctors, lawyers, and psychologists-without revealing their identity. In these third spaces, which are neither school nor home, young people can safely share their struggles.

The United Kingdom has broken down the barriers between schools and hospitals entirely. Mental health support teams under the National Health Service (NHS) are stationed in schools, and when signs of crisis are detected, students are immediately connected to the treatment pipeline without complex procedures.

Experts have pointed out that administrative convenience should be abandoned in line with the purpose of the Mind Investment Project. Jeagal Hyunsook, a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Hanshin University, said, "There is a problem in expecting teenagers to recognize they have an issue and actively seek help themselves. Many children experiencing psychological difficulties are socially isolated, so rather than requiring them to seek help, a proactive outreach approach is needed. Strengthening anonymity to improve accessibility should also be considered."

Kwon Ilnam, a professor in the Department of Youth Guidance at Myongji University, stated, "For teenagers, the roles of various existing counseling agencies overlap, making it difficult to identify those in need. The current Mind Investment Project still applies conventional standards, but it is necessary to lower the entry barriers so that teenagers can access the program more easily."