Why Did Dongdaemun-gu Launch the 'QR Code Mental Health Check'?

Easy Mental Health Screening via Smartphone Enables Early Detection of High-Risk Depression Patients in the Region

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor You Deok-yeol) is conducting a ‘QR Code Mental Health Check’ to help residents experiencing depression and isolation due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

This smartphone-based test allows easy diagnosis anywhere, and it is expected to contribute to the early detection of high-risk depression patients within the community.

The ‘QR Code Mental Health Check’ is a non-face-to-face online mental health screening service established due to the prolonged social distancing measures caused by the spread of COVID-19.

Without visiting in person, users can scan the QR code with their smartphones, fill out the linked questionnaire, and submit it to complete the diagnosis.

Any Dongdaemun-gu resident struggling mentally can take the test, and starting from the 7th, the service will be used to assess the degree of depression and risk of extreme choices among elderly users of welfare centers and workers at related community organizations within Dongdaemun-gu using depression screening questionnaires.

If the test results identify a person as high-risk for depression, a mental health professional will contact them individually for counseling and, if desired, connect them with medical institutions to provide specialized services.

You Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “As all daily life is restricted due to COVID-19, we are exploring various ways to care for the mental health of our residents,” adding, “We will do our best to comfort all residents who are struggling mentally.”

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