"If You Are a Teen Feeling 'Corona Blue,' Contact 1388"
Over 900,000 Consultations Recorded Last Year
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute announced on the 14th that they will operate the Youth Counseling 1388 service more actively for adolescents who have to stay at home due to delayed school openings amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
Youth Counseling 1388 is a 24/7 professional counseling service for youth, available 365 days a year, offering free and anonymous support anytime and anywhere for everyday concerns as well as serious crisis situations such as running away or violence. When using a mobile phone, you can press the local area code and 1388 together, send a text message to #1388, or add the KakaoPlus friend and have a 1:1 chat. Online counseling is also available.
Additionally, adolescents can check their own mental health status through online psychological tests related to stress, depression, and anxiety. If counseling is needed based on the test results, they can also consult with professional counselors.
Events related to COVID-19 are also being held. The Youth Cyber Counseling Center operated by the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute has prepared an event to promote "COVID-19 Mental Defense: Wise Indoor Life Alone." Any youth or parents with adolescent children can check the relevant posts on the Youth Cyber Counseling Center's social network service, write and share comments about their own time management methods or stress relief techniques. Convenience store gift certificates will be given to 40 people through a draw.
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The number of 1388 counseling cases reached 902,294 last year, an increase of 30,000 cases compared to 2018. According to the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute, recently, adolescents mainly complain of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and anger control. In particular, the number of counseling cases related to depression, withdrawal, obsession, anxiety, and impulse control significantly increased in January and February this year compared to last year.
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