If Experiencing Depression, Anxiety, or School Maladaptation... Recruiting Youth Participants for 'Didim Center'

Recruitment of Participants for Yongin and Daegu National Youth Didim Centers in the First Half of 2022
Support Including Counseling, Psychiatric Treatment, Alternative Education, Career Exploration, and Experiential Activities

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is recruiting participants for the first half of the year for the residential healing facility for adolescents facing emotional and behavioral difficulties, the 'National Youth Didim Center.'

The Didim Center supports youths aged 9 to 18 who experience difficulties in family or peer relationships due to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, school maladjustment, and more. It offers healing programs including counseling, psychiatric treatment, alternative education, life care, career exploration, and experiential activities.

The Didim Center is operated with lottery funds from the Lottery Commission and is designated as an alternative education institution by the 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education, allowing the days spent participating in the program to be recognized as school days.

During the residential period, professional counselors regularly visit families vulnerable to care to advise on communication and parenting methods. After completing the healing program, support is provided to help youths form bonds with their families upon returning home. Weekend care services (only at the Yongin Didim Center) are also provided for youths residing in youth shelters or group homes and for residents who have difficulty returning home on weekends.

Applications are accepted through the Didim Center website. Applications can also be made through referral institutions such as regional counseling centers. Since the application periods vary by program, applicants should check the announcements. When applying for admission, if the guardian observation report and youth self-report questionnaire are completed, a test result report is provided to those who wish.

According to psychological tests conducted on youths admitted to the Central Didim Center over the past three years, risk indices such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder decreased by an average of 23.2%. Positive indices such as self-satisfaction and self-esteem increased by an average of 16.5%. The Didim Center operates follow-up programs including a long-term course completion alumni center visit day (Homecoming Day) and long-term effect measurement for alumni and guardians.

Kim Kwon-young, Youth Policy Officer at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "As COVID-19 has prolonged, the role of the Didim Center in healing youth emotional and behavioral problems has become even more important," adding, "We will do our best to provide uninterrupted healing services and expand participation opportunities."

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