Gochang-gun Wins Minister of Health and Welfare Award for 'Excellent Mental Health Program'

Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, received the ‘Minister of Health and Welfare Award’ in the Excellent Program category of the ‘2023 Community Mental Health Excellent Programs and Projects’ at the Mental Health Day event held on the 10th.

According to the county on the 11th, this event was held to celebrate Mental Health Day (October 10) by discovering excellent cases of mental health promotion in the community, revitalizing mental health projects, and honoring the contributions of those who have contributed to mental health promotion.

Gochang-gun won the Minister of Health and Welfare Award in the Excellent Mental Health Program category.
[Photo by Gochang-gun]

The Gochang-gun Mental Health Welfare Center operated the children and youth mental health club ‘Maeum Saengmyeong Tamheom’ (Mind Life Exploration) to address mental health difficulties such as lack of emotional expression, decreased social skills, and media overdependence among children and adolescents experienced during COVID-19.

Participants were recruited in cooperation with the Gochang Office of Education, Gochang-gun Dream Start, Gochang Elementary School, Gochang Middle School, and Jayu Middle School.

Subsequently, the program was conducted as an experiential program utilizing various cultural ecological resources and healing agriculture in the community, including Gochang Eupseong Fortress, pottery experience center, Munsusa Temple, Shwim Dream, Deokhwa Cherry Farm, Dongri Cinema, and Sangha Farm.

The county received high marks for its active efforts to provide opportunities for the physical and emotional balance necessary for children and adolescents through club activities linked with local resources.

Center Director Nam Ju-young said, “Thanks to the interest and efforts of related organizations in the community, we were able to achieve good results,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to help children and adolescents grow into healthy members of society.”

Meanwhile, the county provides various case management services such as mental health promotion education during childhood and adolescence, cultural experiences, parent education, and family camps.

They plan to expand the program by increasing participation institutions in the club and linking community resources so that it can be utilized in other regions as well.

Gochang = Kim Jae-gil, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr

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