Yangcheon-gu Operates Programs Supporting Psychological Stability for Couples Preparing for Pregnancy and Pregnant Women

[Seoul District News] Yangcheon-gu Receives Approval to Use Central Infertility Depression Counseling Center, First Local Government to Operate Own Program Nationwide & 15th Starts 8-Week Project Briefing for 22 Couples Preparing for Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, and Parenting Families & Promotes Psychological Stability and Healthy Habits through Daily Activities like Meditation with Kits, Diet Logs, Plant Growing, and Gratitude Journals, Close Management via District Chat Room ... Dongjak-gu Expands Monthly Infant and Toddler Meal and Snack Support by 20,000 KRW

Yangcheon-gu Companion Project Kit

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) is the first local government nationwide to independently operate the ‘Maman-ae Companion Project,’ a program designed to help couples preparing for pregnancy, pregnant women, and parenting families achieve psychological stability and develop healthy lifestyle habits.

Last year, the district received approval to use the ‘Maman-ae Breathing Box’ project conducted by the Central Infertility Depression Counseling Center (National Medical Center) for institutions nationwide, becoming the first local government to start its own program.

The first phase runs from September 15 to November 11, with 22 participants practicing self-health management using the ‘Maman-ae Companion’ kit. The kit includes a guidebook, an exercise band to support exercise habits, an eco mini flowerpot, and a tumbler bag.

Participants consistently engage in daily activities suggested in the guidebook, such as ▲breath meditation ▲exercise ▲keeping a diet diary ▲caring for plants ▲writing a gratitude journal.

The district operates an open chat room with participants and plans to continuously encourage consistent self-care through surprise events and special lectures on stress management using the Enneagram.

On the 15th, the district held a project briefing session for the 22 first-phase participants, officially starting the program. At the briefing, a counseling expert from the Central Infertility Depression Counseling Center was invited to educate participants on the project’s purpose and how to use the kit for self-health management.

Additionally, a depression screening test to prevent depression during pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting was conducted on-site. Results will be individually notified later, and high-risk groups will be connected with the Central Infertility Depression Counseling Center to receive up to 10 free professional counseling sessions.

The ‘Maman-ae Companion Project’ plans to recruit a second phase in October. For applications and inquiries, contact the Yangcheon-gu Maternal and Child Health Promotion Center.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “Through the ‘Maman-ae Companion Project,’ I hope residents can overcome psychological and physical difficulties experienced throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, and form healthy lifestyle habits.” He added, “We will continue to implement detailed policies reflecting residents’ needs to make Yangcheon-gu a great place to raise children.”

Nutrition Team Menu Meeting at Dongjak-gu Child Meal Management Support Center

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) will upgrade the ‘Dongjak-gu Style Children’s Diet’ starting in October to help children grow up healthily.

The Dongjak-gu Children’s Meal Management Support Center is promoting this initiative to provide delicious and high-quality meals by understanding the district’s characteristics and children’s dietary habits, aiming to improve eating habits and quality of life.

In July, the district conducted a survey of 517 Dongjak-gu parents to diagnose children’s eating problems and factors hindering growth and development.

The survey revealed a high demand for improving children’s picky eating and overweight tendencies. Based on this, the ‘Dongjak-gu Style Children’s Diet,’ a healthy and tasty recipe, was developed and will be provided to children’s meal facilities (▲daycare centers ▲kindergartens ▲local after-school centers ▲Our Neighborhood Care Centers).

The ‘Dongjak-gu Style Children’s Diet’ focuses on creating healthy and delicious recipes (3UP & 3DOWN) with low sugar and low salt to help children become accustomed to the natural taste of food by minimizing the use of processed foods containing food additives, aiming to improve picky eating and obesity.

In particular, in collaboration with Noryangjin Fish Wholesale Market and traditional markets characteristic of Dongjak-gu, as well as the Dongjak-gu Public Meal Center, excellent seafood and agricultural and livestock products are supplied within the district to provide safe ingredients to children’s meal facilities.

Through this, diverse menus necessary for children’s growth and development are composed, such as ‘Sea Day,’ offering menus using the seafood of the month, and ‘Food Bridge Day,’ using eco-friendly seasonal ingredients to prevent picky eating.

Furthermore, to improve meal quality amid rising consumer prices, the district plans to increase the local government subsidy for infant and toddler meal and snack costs at daycare centers from 13,000 KRW to 20,000 KRW per month starting next year.

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “We plan to develop diets that parents can trust and provide delicious and nutritious meals,” adding, “We will strive to improve children’s eating habits and quality of life in Dongjak-gu.”

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