Wanju-gun Community Security Council's Emotional Support Project for Suicide Risk Groups 'Eye-Catching!'

Published 18 Nov.2021 10:22(KST)

Healing Forest Experience and Horticultural Therapy Activities Promoted... A Total of 220 Participants from July to October

Wanju-gun Community Security Council's Emotional Support Project for Suicide Risk Groups 'Eye-Catching!'

[Wanju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] The “Emotional Support Project for Suicide Risk Groups,” promoted by the Life Love Subcommittee (Chair Seo Kyung-beom, Director of Maumkkot Welfare Center) within the Wanju-gun Community Security Council, is gaining positive responses.

The Wanju-gun Community Security Council, having been selected in May for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2021 Regional Customized Suicide Prevention Project contest, is implementing the emotional support project for suicide risk groups as part of the suicide prevention initiatives by the Life Love Subcommittee.

This project focuses on selecting high-risk suicide groups among local residents and conducting healing forest experiences and horticultural therapy activities at locations such as Gosan Natural Recreation Forest, Dae-a Arboretum, and Soyang Dreamtteul Healing Farm.

Since the project began in July, a total of 220 people have participated by the end of last month, creating opportunities to feel solidarity and belonging while escaping the risk of suicide.

Additionally, last month, 500 customized emotional support kits were produced and directly delivered to 500 people through home visits.

Mr. Kim (Samnye-eup), who participated in the emotional support project, said, “I usually stay at home, but coming out for the forest experience really lifted my spirits. The weather is cold and my heart feels chilly, but thinking about making fruit syrup and drinking it warm makes me feel very good,” showing a noticeably lighter heart.

The Life Love Subcommittee plans to continue the emotional support project for suicide risk groups until December.

Seo Kyung-beom, Director of Maumkkot Welfare Center, said, “In the prolonged COVID-19 situation which has deepened depression, forest experiences and horticultural therapy activities that connect participants with nature provide them with a sense of respect for life and healing time, so we see their expressions brighten when they leave. We emphasize the culture of respecting life and plan to enhance the efficiency of the suicide prevention emotional support project running until December.”