Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to Reach Out to Isolated and Reclusive Youth... Nationwide Survey to be Conducted in May

One-Stop Support for Isolated and Reclusive Youth
From Diagnosis to Follow-Up Care
Conducting Surveys to Develop Policies

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is launching a pilot project called the 'One-Stop Package' to support the mental and physical recovery and social reintegration of isolated and reclusive youth. In May, a nationwide survey will be conducted to assess the current situation.

According to the Ministry on the 6th, the Youth Policy Committee held a meeting from April 27 to 29 and deliberated and approved the 'Measures for the Identification and Support of Isolated and Reclusive Youth,' which includes implementing the pilot project and conducting the survey.

Isolated youth refer to those whose social activities have significantly decreased and who lack a personal support system to request help in emergencies, while reclusive youth are those who do not engage in social activities and live only within a limited residential space.

The isolated and reclusive pilot project will be promoted from this month, centered on 12 out-of-school youth support centers nationwide, providing tailored support throughout the entire process?from diagnosing the level of isolation and reclusion to counseling, healing, learning, and family relationship restoration. The project areas include Nowon, Dobong, Seongbuk, and Songpa districts in Seoul; Dong-gu, Dalseo-gu, and Dalseong-gun in Daegu; Suwon and Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province; Pohang in Gyeongbuk Province; and Yeosu in Jeonnam Province.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

To identify isolated and reclusive youth, information has been linked to out-of-school youth support centers after school dropout; however, for youth who have not registered with or used the centers for more than three months, dedicated counselors will verify their isolation or reclusion status and connect them to a customized support system.

Additionally, collaboration with local communities such as convenience stores will be strengthened, and the Youth1388 public portal, which provides tailored information guidance and service applications, will be operated.

In particular, if a high-risk crisis such as suicide or self-harm occurs during isolation or reclusion, specialized counseling and treatment institution linkage will be supported through the 'Intensive Psychological Clinic' at youth counseling and welfare centers near the residence. Furthermore, youth small groups, mentoring, and recovery and healing programs will be operated.

Along with this, a follow-up management program will be operated to help recovered youth avoid re-isolation and achieve independence. Follow-up support will be provided for at least three months depending on social adaptation. Reclusive youth in need of financial assistance will be linked to 'Special Support for Youth in Crisis' to receive aid. Support for youth in crisis includes living expenses up to 650,000 KRW per month, medical expenses up to 2 million KRW per year, independence support up to 360,000 KRW per month, and legal support up to 3.5 million KRW per year.

The Ministry, together with the Korea Youth Policy Institute, will conduct the first nationwide survey targeting isolated and reclusive youth in May. Until now, the scale of isolated and reclusive youth nationwide has not been measured. In the case of high schools, information on students who have dropped out can be identified only after obtaining consent for the disclosure of personal information, but the amendment to the 'Out-of-School Youth Support Act,' which includes transferring their personal information to related youth support centers without prior consent, is currently pending in the National Assembly.

The survey targets youth aged 9 to 24 who have experienced isolation or reclusion and will be conducted online. Based on the survey results to be announced at the end of this year, related policies will be developed.

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