Ministry of Health and Welfare "Strengthening Psychological Support for Itaewon Trauma... Expanding Mind Comfort Bus"

On the 2nd, during the national mourning period following the large-scale crush disaster in Itaewon, the Itaewon accident psychological support counseling center, set up near the joint memorial altar at Noksapyeong Station Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is in operation. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 3rd that it will strengthen psychological support for bereaved families, injured victims, the general public, and response personnel who need psychological treatment due to the Itaewon tragedy.

Since the 1st, the Ministry expanded the Mind Safety Buses, which were installed at two joint memorial altars in Seoul, to four additional locations as of the previous day: the Daejeon memorial altar, Yangsan Woongsan Hospital funeral hall, Jeonbuk Provincial Office and Gwangju City Hall memorial altars, and Gangwon Provincial Office memorial altar. The Mind Safety Bus is a place that quickly provides psychological counseling and programs in the event of disasters, staffed by mental health specialists and mental health professionals.

In addition to the bereaved families, injured victims, and witnesses of the Itaewon tragedy, general citizens can also receive counseling. The government plans to prioritize support by deploying five Mind Safety Buses owned by regional trauma centers and 30 Mind Safety Buses from local government mental health welfare centers.

For on-site rescue personnel such as firefighters and police officers, as well as medical staff involved in emergency medical care, support will focus on trauma management programs operated by each institution, including the Fire Agency, Police Agency, and Medical Association. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will provide further in-depth counseling through connections with private psychological support groups.

Schools, military units, and companies where deaths occurred due to the Itaewon tragedy will receive visit support services through cooperation with private organizations such as the Korea Life Respect Hope Foundation.

For bereaved families, injured victims, and their families, psychological support guidance messages are sent, and case management is conducted through face-to-face and telephone counseling, linking them to trauma treatment programs.

Anyone experiencing psychological difficulties due to this incident can receive counseling through the mental health crisis counseling hotline (1577-0199).

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