Gangbuk-gu Helps Apartment Residents Overcome 'Corona Blue'

Elevator Media Boards Connect Support and Consultation via Management Fee Notices... Evaluation Sheets Distributed Through Mailboxes... Crisis Counseling Provided for High-Risk Groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in people suffering from depression (Corona Blue).

Accordingly, Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Gyeom-su) has been actively promoting depression and suicide crisis support services and raising awareness among residents of multi-family housing with a high risk of suicide attempts.

First, the district posted phone numbers of organizations related to suicide prevention counseling, financial and legal support, employment assistance, and welfare and livelihood support, as well as services available in times of crisis, on media boards installed in apartment elevators.

They also included the health center's phone number on management fee notices along with guidance so residents can seek counseling when they are struggling.

Additionally, the district distributed informational leaflets and surveys about depression and suicide crisis support services to over 20,000 households in 54 apartments via mailboxes and guided each apartment management office to submit the survey results.

To encourage more residents to participate, promotional items are being distributed to those who submit the surveys.

Based on the evaluation forms, if a person is judged to be in the suicide risk group, the health center’s Life Respect Team conducts an 8-week crisis counseling and connects them with necessary resources such as welfare services.

In urgent cases, immediate intervention within 24 hours will be made to prevent extreme choices.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “We hope the depression and suicide crisis support services will help residents who are physically and mentally exhausted due to the resurgence of COVID-19. We will do our best to care for the mental health of isolated and marginalized residents by focusing not only on physical quarantine but also on psychological prevention.”

The district is providing psychological counseling for residents suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts caused by stress and trauma due to COVID-19. Those in need of counseling can contact the Gangbuk-gu Health Center Life Respect Team. Counseling is available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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