Seocho-gu Launches Psychological Quarantine to Care for Residents' Mental Health

Psychological Quarantine Efforts to Block Depression and Anxiety (Corona Blue) Amid Prolonged COVID-19... Online Programs Provided for Seniors Unable to Go Out Due to Long-Term Closure of Welfare Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seocho-gu (Mayor Jo Eun-hee) has embarked on psychological quarantine measures to block feelings of depression and anxiety caused by prolonged facility closures, social distancing becoming routine, and refraining from outdoor activities due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

With no signs of the COVID-19 situation calming down, the daily increasing number of confirmed cases and death reports have caused many people to complain of fear, depression, and frustration. As more people refrain from outdoor activities and feel helplessness and anxiety due to disrupted daily life, a new term combining "COVID-19" and "Blue," meaning depression, has emerged as "Corona Blue."

In fact, senior citizen Kim from 00 Welfare Center expressed mental distress, saying, "Because of COVID-19, I can't go to the welfare center or meet friends often, so I just stay at home feeling down. The increasing news of confirmed cases makes me scared and frustrated."

In response, the district has rolled up its sleeves to care for residents' mental health, from children to seniors, encouraging communication and support at home so that residents can overcome anxiety, depression, and helplessness and find psychological stability.

First, due to the long-term closure of welfare facilities and social distancing measures caused by the spread of COVID-19, various online programs have been prepared to eliminate feelings of helplessness and depression and to energize vulnerable groups such as seniors who refrain from going out.

The district produces videos of popular classes such as line dance, stretching, smartphone classes, and singing classes centered on senior welfare centers and Neutinamu Rest Centers, allowing seniors to take classes online at home and relieve helplessness.

Additionally, the senior welfare center website and SNS have launched campaigns such as "Happy Check-in" and "Filling Hope with Positive Energy," encouraging residents to share their current status, check on each other, and participate in hope support relay activities. These initiatives maintain networks among seniors who cannot engage in outdoor activities and provide communication channels to strengthen community immunity.

Along with this, as daycare centers remain closed, the district provides fun play methods to alleviate boredom for infants and toddlers who find outdoor play difficult. The prolonged home care has increased the burden on parents, and children are experiencing increased boredom due to repetitive play at home and reduced physical activity.

Accordingly, the Seocho-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center is conducting the event "Escape from Corona! Kids, Let's Play at Home," where parents share play moments with their children using hashtags and upload enjoyable play videos and reviews on the website.

Furthermore, in response to the delayed opening of kindergartens and elementary schools, various play program videos are being produced and distributed for children who feel confined at home.

In particular, for kindergartens, to help students (including new students) quickly adapt after reopening, the district has produced and provided "Seocho-style Home Stay Play Videos," which include teacher introductions, facility tours, exercises, and activities like making storybook tunnels. The Education Support Center and Lifelong Learning Center also produce and distribute various content videos such as puppet shows, exciting dances, and children's English classes. These new play activities are expected to alleviate the boredom of staying at home for children and reduce the burden of home care on parents.

Moreover, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, instructors from community centers, which have been closed long-term since January 28, have voluntarily offered their talents and actively engaged in online classes to support students exhausted by the pandemic.

During these difficult times, about 50 diverse and entertaining learning videos such as COVID-19 Eradication Dance, Coronavirus OUT, Senior Health Dance, English Conversation, Yoga, and Gyeonggi Minyo (folk songs) are provided to encourage students and foster communication among residents online, revitalizing weary spirits. Video lectures are uploaded on YouTube, Band, and some programs operate via video calls using Skype.

Additionally, the district provides companion plants (sprouts, bean sprouts, ornamental air-purifying plants, etc.) to low-income vulnerable groups to soothe monotonous daily life through regular plant care, stimulating the five senses and promoting psychological and emotional stability.

Seocho-gu Mayor Jo Eun-hee said, "Although we are all in a temporary pause due to COVID-19, I believe we are preparing for a greater leap by communicating and uniting with our hearts," adding, "Based on the warm hearts of Seocho residents who care for and encourage each other in this great crisis, we will do our best to wisely overcome COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.