Seongdong-gu Supports Counseling and Emotional Healing for Youth Traumatized by Itaewon Disaster

Seongdong-gu Supports Psychological and Emotional Care for Youth and Young Adults Needing Help After Itaewon Disaster... Seongdong Youth Counseling Welfare Center and Dosimkwon Youth Mind Support Operate Special Counseling Rooms... Free Phone and In-Person Consultations

‘Dosimkwon Youth Mental Health Counseling Center’ located in Seongdong Youth Culture House

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it will begin psychological support to heal the minds of adolescents and young adults suffering from trauma related to the Itaewon disaster, in which peers tragically lost their lives.

The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, a group of mental health specialists, advised, “Sharing horrific videos and photos from the accident can cause psychological trauma to many people,” and recommended refraining from repeatedly viewing such content.

Seongdong-gu has stepped up to help adolescents directly or indirectly exposed to the Itaewon disaster overcome their trauma. The district operates the “Seongdong-gu 1388 Youth Disaster Psychological Support Special Counseling Room” at the Seongdong Youth Counseling Welfare Center located in Kumho-dong. It plans to assist trauma recovery and psychological healing for youths aged 9 to 24 who witnessed the disaster firsthand or were indirectly exposed through news and the internet.

The “Youth Disaster Psychological Support Special Counseling Room” is staffed by 20 professional counselors and offers face-to-face or online counseling for visiting youths. In urgent cases, counselors can also provide on-site counseling at schools or homes. All counseling services are free, and detailed information can be obtained by contacting the Seongdong Youth Counseling Welfare Center.

Operating hours are Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Additionally, the Dosimkwon Youth Mind Counseling Center in Kumho-dong has also established a special counseling room to provide trauma and psychological treatment related to the disaster for young adults. Counseling is available up to 12 sessions and can be conducted face-to-face or via video call, according to the applicant’s preference. Those seeking counseling can contact the Dosimkwon Youth Mind Counseling Center.

Operating hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I believe the psychological difficulties faced by the adolescent and young adult generation who have experienced the tragic loss of their peers again are even greater,” adding, “We pray for the repose of all victims, extend deep condolences to the injured and bereaved families, and Seongdong-gu will carefully ensure complete recovery and healing.”

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