Seo-gu, Gwangju Introduces 'Professional Counseling System' to Prevent Solitary Deaths

Seo-gu Launches 'Lonely Life, Professional Counseling System'
to Address Social Isolation Among Single-Person Households

Seo-gu District in Gwangju has introduced the 'Lonely Life, Professional Counseling System' to prevent solitary deaths.

According to Seo-gu on April 21, the introduction of this system was prompted by a steady increase in single-person households, which now account for 43% (about 56,006 households) out of the district's total of approximately 132,000 households. The initiative aims to identify vulnerable groups facing isolation and emotional crises and to resolve social isolation.

Gwangju Seo-gu has introduced the 'Lonely Life, Professional Counseling System' to prevent solitary deaths. Photo by Gwangju Seo-gu

The 'Professional Counseling System' is a program in which experienced professionals such as social workers, nurses, and psychological counselors who have experienced career interruptions visit the homes of those in need, conduct depression assessments, provide tailored counseling, and, if necessary, connect them to hospital treatment.

These professionals go beyond simple counseling by taking on the role of 'neighbors,' focusing on restoring relationships and providing emotional support to participants.

In particular, Seo-gu is systematically identifying and responding to welfare blind spots through organic cooperation among the Care Support Division, the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Policy Division, the Health Living Support Center, and local administrative welfare centers. The expertise of each department is organically connected, resulting in practical support.

In the first quarter of this year, Seo-gu conducted depression scale assessments (CES-D, SGDS) for a total of 362 vulnerable individuals. Of these, 137 people, including 12 in the high-risk group, were identified as needing mental health management.

Seo-gu provided these individuals with practical assistance through follow-up measures such as telephone and in-person counseling and connections to hospital treatment, all under the professional management of 'mental health primary care physicians.'

Kim Ikang, head of Seo-gu District Office, stated, "Small acts of attention toward one another create a dense and robust welfare safety net," and added, "We will continue to build 'Seo-gu, the Good City,' where sharing and care become a part of everyday life through positive influence."

Meanwhile, Seo-gu is also working to form a resident-centered care community through various programs such as 'Our Neighborhood Neighbor Care Group,' where neighbors look after one another, and 'Life Drawing,' where participants express their emotions through art.

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