Gyeonggi-do Provides 'Psychological Counseling' for Itaewon Disaster Witnesses and Residents

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will provide psychological counseling support for witnesses of the Itaewon tragedy and residents.

On the 2nd, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will operate a mental health crisis counseling hotline (1577-0199) for witnesses and residents suffering from mental and psychological distress due to the tragedy.

The mental health counseling hotline is a nationwide common number. When called, it connects with the caller's place of residence and provides 24/7 counseling services throughout the year by mental health professionals at metropolitan and local mental health welfare centers.

Currently, 141 residents have received counseling through the mental health crisis hotline, of whom 69 were witnesses and 4 were response personnel. Among the 141, 18 were identified as high-risk groups for post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms.

They were guided on using mental health medical institutions and treatment cost support, and are currently receiving ongoing counseling and management at mental health welfare centers.

Since many victims in this tragedy were in their 20s and 30s, the province expects a large number of young people needing psychological counseling and plans to link support with the youth mental health treatment cost support project (Mind Care) currently being promoted in Gyeonggi Province.

Mind Care is a project that provides up to 360,000 KRW per person annually for outpatient treatment costs to Gyeonggi Province youth aged 19 to 34 who have been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders for the first time within the last five years, regardless of registration at mental health welfare centers or income criteria.

Um Won-ja, head of the Mental Health Division of the province, said, "Many residents who are close to the victims or have heard the news are likely experiencing psychological difficulties. Please do not hesitate to call 1577-0199 to receive help."

The province is also operating the '1388 Psychological Support Special Counseling Room' for adolescents experiencing psychological difficulties related to the Itaewon tragedy.

Youth aged 9 to 24 can receive professional counseling and treatment cost support through the special counseling room.

Counseling applications are available 24/7 via phone, text message, or KakaoTalk through the youth hotline 1388, and face-to-face counseling is also possible by visiting a nearby youth counseling welfare center. Additionally, video counseling services are available on the Gyeonggi Lifelong Learning Portal 'GSEEK.'

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