Dongdaemun-gu Selected as the Only Excellent Local Government in Seoul for Suicide Prevention Project Implementation

Selected as an Excellent Local Government for Suicide Prevention Project by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for 2 Consecutive Years... Awarded the Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation... Installation of Hope Messages in Apartments, Suicide Prevention Community Forums, Seminars, and Collaboration with Primary Care Institutions for Mental Health Checkups

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor You Deok-yeol) has been selected as an excellent local government for suicide prevention projects and received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare as a result of achieving outstanding performance in promoting the ‘2019 Local Government Suicide Prevention Implementation Plan’ led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and striving to foster a community culture that respects life.

This commendation is awarded to local governments with excellent performance who have devoted themselves to suicide prevention projects and fostering a culture that respects life. Among 236 local governments nationwide, 16 were selected.

Dongdaemun-gu, the only district in Seoul to be selected, also achieved the remarkable feat of being chosen as an excellent local government for two consecutive years following last year.

Over the past five years (2013?2017), based on an analysis of police investigation records, the district has conducted evidence-based, customized suicide prevention projects tailored to local characteristics, faithfully carrying out the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 10 major tasks for suicide prevention, and made every effort to reduce the suicide rate.

In particular, to prevent suicides in public places (multi-family housing), the district improved the environment by installing hopeful messages in places closely connected to residents such as apartments, goshiwons, and the Baebongsan Dulle-gil trail. Various events related to suicide prevention were also held under the mayor’s leadership, including residents’ forums, Korea-Japan symposiums, and seminars invited by New York State, USA.

Additionally, the district was praised for greatly contributing to the mental health promotion of local residents through the establishment of a smart mental health screening system using unmanned mental health screening devices, mental health screenings in collaboration with primary medical institutions, and early detection and active crisis intervention for high-risk suicide groups through case management.

You Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “We are making various efforts and dedicating much effort to lower the suicide rate in Dongdaemun-gu,” and added, “We will continue to do our best so that all residents can enjoy a mentally healthy life.”

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