"Caring for the Mind": Hamyang County Strengthens Psychological Support for Wildfire Victims

Supporting Recovery of Daily Life
Through Stress-Relief Education and Healing Programs

The Hamyang County Mental Health Welfare Center in South Gyeongsang Province is operating the "Mobile Third Disaster Psychological Support Program" to help residents affected by the wildfire recover psychologically and regain emotional stability.

This program is being held for four days from May 12 to May 15 at the senior centers and village halls in Munha, Munsang, Songjeon, and Baekyeon villages, targeting residents who experienced evacuation and damage during the wildfire.

The county's Mental Health Welfare Center launched the first psychological support program immediately after the wildfire in March and operated a second program in April. This third program marks the final phase of the step-by-step psychological recovery support.

The program consists of stress-relief education and hands-on healing activities designed to alleviate anxiety, depression, and tension that may arise after a disaster. It also includes disaster psychological assessments and mental health counseling for residents.

In particular, the program will focus on practical training in stabilization techniques such as the "Butterfly Hug," which helps reduce psychological tension, and offer an experience program called "Making a Rattan Heart Basket" to provide residents with opportunities for emotional exchange and healing.

A representative from the Hamyang County Mental Health Welfare Center stated, "Anxiety and depression following a disaster are natural stress responses that can occur in anyone," adding, "We hope this program will help residents find psychological stability and return to their daily lives."