Yangsan City Receives Health and Welfare Minister’s Commendation for Suicide Prevention Convenience Store Project

The Yangsan City Mental Health Welfare Center in South Gyeongsang Province received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare on September 10, 2025, in recognition of the achievements of its suicide prevention project linked to convenience stores, which was the first of its kind in the country.

Yangsan City Mental Health Welfare Center awarded for suicide prevention convenience store project performance. Provided by Yangsan City

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This award acknowledges the center's collaboration with businesses to launch the nation’s first suicide prevention initiative connected to convenience stores. The project has helped foster a culture of respect for life by encouraging citizens to pay attention to mental health and suicide prevention in their daily lives.

In particular, the project contributed to its expansion throughout South Gyeongsang Province, setting a new direction for suicide prevention policy.

Through a partnership with BGF Retail’s CU Dongbusan Branch, stickers with suicide prevention counseling hotline numbers were placed on the liquor shelves of 106 convenience stores in the Yangsan area. Additionally, a self-assessment mental health program called "CU Tomorrow: We Want to Be With You Again Tomorrow" was used to identify high-risk individuals for early intervention.

The center also provided education on respect for life and distributed response manuals for high-risk groups to store owners and employees, thereby strengthening the community’s safety net in everyday settings.

An official from the Yangsan City Public Health Center stated, "Expanding convenience stores, which are easily accessible to all citizens, into hubs for respecting life is a first in the nation. This commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare is a valuable achievement made possible through the cooperation of Yangsan City and the local community."

The Yangsan City Mental Health Welfare Center plans to use this award as an opportunity to further establish a culture of respect for life throughout the community and to continue expanding its community-based suicide prevention model.

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