24-Hour Psychological Support for 'Corona Depression' During Chuseok Holiday

23 Locations Including Incheon Medical Center and Mental Health Welfare Center on Standby Duty

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City will provide psychological support services 24 hours a day during the Chuseok holiday for citizens experiencing depression or lethargy due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The city, along with 10 district health centers, the Incheon Metropolitan Mental Health Welfare Center, 10 basic mental health welfare centers, and Incheon Medical Center, totaling 23 organizations, will cooperate to maintain 24-hour emergency psychological crisis support duty.

On the 1st, 55 people will be on emergency duty to provide telephone counseling and emergency dispatch services targeting confirmed patients, quarantined individuals, and the general public for early psychological recovery from 'COVID depression.'

In particular, the Incheon Metropolitan Mental Health Welfare Center website (https://www.imhc.or.kr) offers accurate information about COVID-19, stress management, and various other resources, as well as supporting real-time self-assessments for nine conditions including depression, anxiety, and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

COVID depression refers to feelings of depression or lethargy caused by significant changes in daily life due to the spread of COVID-19. Symptoms of depression may appear due to anxiety about infection, social isolation, and refraining from going out.

Since starting COVID-19 related psychological support in February this year, the city has conducted a total of approximately 54,000 phone or face-to-face counseling sessions through last month, and provided about 170,000 pieces of information via text messages and leaflets.

To receive COVID depression counseling, you can connect with the Incheon Metropolitan Mental Health Welfare Center via KakaoTalk Plus Friend, use the website counseling room, or call the mental crisis counseling hotline (☎1577-0199).

An official from Incheon City stated, "Anyone can feel anxiety and stress during an infectious disease outbreak, but knowing and using appropriate coping methods can speed up recovery," and urged, "If severe stress persists, we strongly recommend receiving psychological counseling."

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