Gangbuk-gu Rehabilitation Program 'Smart Exercise Life' Operation

Walking Trips by District for Severe Mental Illness Patients Registered at Gangbuk-gu Mental Health Welfare Center in Mia, Suyu, and Beondong... Exercise Effects Confirmed through Stress Awareness Scale Test

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) has launched the "Wise Exercise Life" project to improve the physical and mental health of individuals with severe mental illnesses.

This project is part of the daytime rehabilitation program for people with severe mental illnesses and combines both face-to-face and non-face-to-face methods. It targets residents who wish to participate among the 390 individuals with severe mental illnesses registered at the Gangbuk-gu Mental Health Welfare Center.

According to the center, many individuals with severe mental illnesses have reported symptoms of depression and anxiety due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Their overall activity levels have decreased, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases. Therefore, a new form of service suitable for social distancing was needed to maintain routine mental health services.

"Wise Exercise Life" is held six times a month in three areas: Mia, Suyu, and Beondong. One mental health nurse or other professional staff member teams up with three individuals with severe mental illnesses. Each group gathers to do warm-up exercises and then goes on walking trips to places such as Solbat Park and Buk Seoul Dream Forest. Participants set individual goals such as developing exercise habits or losing weight and choose methods that suit them. After the program ends, they share their experiences.

The professionals conduct the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) test before and after walking to evaluate the exercise effects. A score of 20 or higher usually indicates the need for counseling. Besides face-to-face meetings, activities continue on social networking services (SNS). Participants encourage each other by sharing self-exercise photos and more.

The district plans to visit various locations such as the Bukhansan Dulle-gil trail, traditional temples, and cultural heritage sites to increase participants' interest in the project. Additionally, non-face-to-face self-esteem enhancement meetings, ukulele music therapy, and various daily social skills training are provided to individuals with severe mental illnesses.

Park Kyum-soo, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, "Access to routine mental health services for individuals with severe mental illnesses must not be hindered by social distancing measures. We will respond to the new demand for mental health care with customized programs suited to the COVID-19 era."

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