Songpa-gu Launches COVID-19 Psychological Support... Gwangjin-gu Extends Free Safe Accommodation for Families of Home Treatment Patients Until June

[Seoul District News] Songpa-gu Mental Health Welfare Center Provides Free Mental Health Counseling for COVID-19 Confirmed Cases and Self-Quarantined Residents... Guro-gu Offers Online Application Service for COVID-19 Isolation Notices... World Education and Culture Institute Delivers Support Supplies to Geumcheon-gu COVID-19 Frontline Workers... Gwangjin-gu Allows Families of Fully Vaccinated and PCR Negative Home Treatment Patients to Use Services for Free

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is providing psychological support services for residents experiencing mental difficulties due to COVID-19.

Recently, the prolonged COVID-19 situation, confirmed cases, home treatment, and self-quarantine have caused an increase in people expressing anxiety and confusion.

In response, Songpa-gu has stepped up to help residents struggling with COVID-19 blues. To assist residents who miss the opportunity for counseling and treatment due to prejudice against mental health treatment or the burden of medical costs, and thus fail to detect risks early, the district operates a ‘COVID-19 Psychological Support Service.’

Mayor Park Seong-su stated, “Professional help is needed not only for physical symptoms caused by COVID-19 but also for psychological stress such as depression and insomnia arising from stigma, aftereffects during recovery, isolation due to quarantine, restrictions on daily life, and economic losses.”

The district provides free psychological support services to local residents experiencing psychological difficulties from COVID-19, including those under home treatment and self-quarantine, through the Songpa-gu Mental Health Welfare Center.

First, residents undergoing home treatment after a confirmed diagnosis receive psychological support and mental health protection information via text messages. Those in self-quarantine living with confirmed patients and their families can also use the service.

Residents wishing to consult can receive non-face-to-face counseling by phone to screen for high-risk mental health groups. If mental health issues are detected, face-to-face counseling is conducted after quarantine ends, and if necessary, referrals to psychiatric treatment are supported.

For counseling applications and more detailed information, contact the Songpa-gu Mental Health Welfare Center.

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “Social interest in mental health such as COVID-19 blues is still necessary amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation for over two years. We will strive in various ways to help residents recover their tired bodies and minds and create a healthy and happy city, Songpa.”

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) has introduced an online application service for COVID-19 quarantine notices.

The quarantine notice is a certificate required for applying for living support funds at community service centers, insurance claims, and returning to work or school. Recently, with the surge in confirmed cases, there were difficulties due to a flood of phone inquiries and visits to health centers for issuance.

Guro-gu has set up an online application window on the Guro-gu Health Center website so residents can quickly and conveniently apply for quarantine notices via PC or mobile without visiting the health center.

Applicants include Guro-gu residents (including foreigners) who are confirmed cases under home treatment, living treatment centers, hospitals, or self-quarantine with negative test results.

Applications require mobile phone identity verification, followed by submission of an application form with name, resident registration number, contact information, quarantine location, and period. For those who have difficulty using the internet due to age or other reasons, or infants and young children who cannot verify identity, a guardian may apply on their behalf.

Guro-gu assesses the eligibility of applicants and issues quarantine notices via text message.

A Guro-gu official said, “This online service is expected to provide residents with prompt civil services and help reduce the workload of public officials. We will do our best to minimize inconvenience for residents and overcome COVID-19 wisely.”

Meanwhile, Guro-gu operates (temporary) screening clinics at Guro-gu Health Center, Guro Station and Oryu-dong Station plazas, and Sindorim Techno Neighborhood Park. Those wishing to be tested must bring identification when visiting screening clinics.

Rapid antigen tests are available to anyone, while PCR tests are only for priority individuals with supporting documents. Detailed information on operating hours and eligible testees can be found on the district office website.

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced that on the morning of the 29th at 10:30 AM, the World Education and Culture Institute (Chairman Bang Jeong-hwan) delivered snacks and health supplements to the Geumcheon-gu Health Center for COVID-19 frontline workers.

The World Education and Culture Institute delivered a total of 160 sets of snacks, omega-3, and vitamins to express gratitude to COVID-19 medical staff and frontline workers who have been working day and night for the safety of residents. The donated items were purchased with funds raised through their website, blog, and other channels.

The World Education and Culture Institute is an organization that supports education and culture so that marginalized people worldwide can live with hope.

Chairman Bang Jeong-hwan of the World Education and Culture Institute said, “Although COVID-19 has lasted over two years and you must be tired and exhausted, we thank you for doing your best in your duties.”

Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon of Geumcheon-gu said, “We appreciate the meaningful encouragement from the World Education and Culture Institute for COVID-19 medical staff and frontline workers. The district will also make further efforts to overcome COVID-19 and help residents regain their precious daily lives.”

Safe Accommodation

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) will extend the operation of the ‘Safe Accommodation’ exclusively for families of home treatment patients.

Since January, the district has been operating the family-only safe accommodation, the first in Seoul, to allow families of home treatment patients to safely enjoy daily life. Initially planned to operate until March, the operation will be extended until June due to the continued spread of COVID-19.

The family-only safe accommodation is located in Junggok-dong and has a total of 24 rooms, including 3 family rooms. It does not accept general guests as it is exclusively for families of home treatment patients.

Eligible users are family members of home treatment patients who have completed vaccination and tested negative on PCR tests. Accommodation is free of charge, with a basic stay of 7 days, and extensions are possible in unavoidable cases such as additional family members testing positive consecutively.

Residents wishing to use the service can apply through the Gwangjin-gu Home Treatment Dedicated Team.

Going forward, the district plans to extend the operation of the safe accommodation on a monthly basis, considering the number of confirmed cases and changes in quarantine guidelines. As of March 18, a total of 232 people have used the family-only safe accommodation in Gwangjin-gu, with an average of 17 rooms and 20 people per day.

Mayor Kim Seon-gap of Gwangjin-gu said, “We decided to extend the safe accommodation to eliminate the inconvenience and anxiety of home treatment patients and their families and to accelerate their safe return to daily life. Experts predict a gradual decline without additional peaks, but since the stealth Omicron variant is becoming dominant and hidden infections may exist, we ask all residents to actively comply with quarantine rules such as wearing masks.”

Meanwhile, Gwangjin-gu is implementing quarantine measures such as ▲supporting health management kits for general home treatment patients ▲providing self-test kits for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children ▲establishing a COVID-19 integrated ARS guidance system in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19.

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