'Dongdaemun-gu, the "City of Flowers," Embracing the Hearts of the Psychologically Vulnerable with Flowers'

Psychological Healing Project for Socially Vulnerable Groups 'Dongdaemun Flower Blooming' Promoted
Creation of Mini Flower Beds at Dementia Relief Centers, Various Healing Programs Using Flowers and Plants

Spring, a season when suicide rates increase due to various factors such as seasonal depression and maladjustment at school and work.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) is launching a mental healing project called ‘Dongdaemun Flower Bloom’ targeting socially vulnerable groups who are psychologically fragile.

‘Flower City Dongdaemun-gu’ aims to promote psychological and physical adaptability and enhance vitality in life through activities involving flowers and plants for socially vulnerable groups such as those at high risk of depression, mental illness patients, and dementia patients.

First, mini flower beds will be created in various places so that visitors to the Mental Health Welfare Center and Dementia Safety Center can feel psychological stability and comfort by viewing flowers. The colors and scents of various flowers will convey the energy of spring, and mini gardens with seasonal flowers will be arranged in front of buildings and in unused entrance spaces to allow people to experience the changing nature each season.

In addition, various healing programs using flowers and plants will be operated. Dongdaemun-gu, which conducts suicide prevention and depression overcoming programs tailored to life stages, will hold a ‘Flower Arrangement Pot Making’ event on the 22nd, where young and middle-aged adults can cultivate plants themselves to overcome depression and prevent suicide.

Programs such as ‘Doran Doran Forest Experience’ and ‘Fresh Memory Garden’ will also be operated to relieve caregiving stress and provide mental rest for dementia patients and their families. Especially, the newly launched ‘Fresh Memory Garden’ program starting this March allows families of dementia patients to relieve stress through the process of growing, managing, and harvesting plants themselves, and the district expects it will reduce depression and social isolation caused by caregiving through exchanges with other dementia families.

Furthermore, for patients with severe mental illnesses, an ‘Emotional Ventilation Program’ involving visits to cultural facilities such as Hongneung Forest and art museums will be conducted, along with ‘Aroma Therapy’ for emotional treatment and mental stability targeting high-risk suicide groups.

Lastly, the district plans to create a healing belt composed of places where people can smell the scent of flowers, to be used for outing programs for vulnerable groups experiencing psychological difficulties.

The healing belt consists of nature-friendly landmarks representing Dongdaemun-gu, such as the Knowledge Flower Garden, Jungnangcheon Tulip and Rose Garden, and Baebongsan Trail, as well as courses where people can enjoy cultural activities like watching movies and visiting art museums.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “We will promote various healing programs for the mental and physical stability and mental health recovery of socially vulnerable groups by utilizing the vibrant and beautiful green environment created through the Flower City project. We will continue to create a ‘5-Minute Garden City’ where flowers and trees can be easily accessed anywhere, making Dongdaemun-gu a happy place full of joy and easy to walk for all residents.”

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