Gyeonggi-do Expands Support for Elderly Depression Treatment Costs to 360,000 Won per Person

Budget for 'Elderly Depression Treatment Support' Project Increased by 100 Million Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province has significantly increased the budget for the 'Depression Treatment Support for Elderly' project, which targets the mentally vulnerable elderly, from the existing 30 million KRW to 130 million KRW.

Accordingly, the annual treatment cost support limit per elderly person suffering from depression has been confirmed at 360,000 KRW, an increase of 1.8 times from the previous 200,000 KRW.

The province explained, "The depression treatment support project for the elderly was started earlier than other mental health support projects, so the support amount was set low," and added, "The support amount has been increased to ensure fairness among support recipients."

The 'Depression Treatment Support for Elderly' project provides treatment cost support for elderly residents aged 60 and over in the province and has been in operation since 2013.

The annual number of beneficiaries for this project is estimated to be around 700, and the increased support amount will apply to applications submitted from the 10th of this month.

This year, only the support amount is increased, but from next year, the current eligibility criterion of being below 120% of the median income will be abolished, and treatment costs will be supported regardless of income level.

Applicants or their guardians can inquire at the city or county mental health welfare centers or suicide prevention centers. Each support payment will be made retrospectively after the initial treatment.

In Gyeonggi Province, the suicide rate among elderly aged 80 and over in 2020 was 63.9 per 100,000 people, the most severe among all age groups.

Um Won-ja, head of the Mental Health Division, said, "We hope that through the expansion of the treatment cost support project, elderly people will detect illnesses early and maintain treatment."

Meanwhile, the province is also providing outpatient treatment costs of up to 360,000 KRW per person annually to young adults aged 19 to 34 in Gyeonggi Province who were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders for the first time within the last five years, regardless of registration at mental health welfare centers or income criteria.

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