The district covers up to three counseling sessions per year, with total support of up to 80,000 won (about $52), for residents dealing with early-stage depression, anxiety or stress
Yangcheon-gu will continue its "Mental Health Screening and Counseling Support" project this year, offering help to residents struggling with psychological difficulties caused by everyday stress, the district said.
The project aims to lower the barrier to accessing mental health services and ease the financial burden of treatment, so that residents can receive appropriate counseling and care from the earliest stages of conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Eligibility is open to Yangcheon-gu residents aged 19 and older who have not received psychiatric treatment in the past year and have not previously participated in the project. Those selected can undergo a mental health screening and consultation with a specialist at a designated psychiatric facility in the district.
Starting with an initial screening and specialist consultation, the district covers counseling costs of up to 80,000 won ($52) in total, for a maximum of three sessions per year. Medication costs and fees for additional diagnostic tests are not covered.
Residents who wish to participate can check the list of designated psychiatric clinics posted on the Yangcheon-gu website, make a phone reservation, and visit in person with a valid ID.
Residents identified as high-risk who require ongoing mental health management will, with their consent, be referred to the Yangcheon-gu Mental Health Welfare Center for free follow-up services, including in-depth counseling and case management.
The district is also building a broader mental health support network that includes extended evening counseling hours for youth mental health, public psychiatric emergency beds for rapid response to psychiatric crises, and a psychological counseling center called "Maeum:On" designed to lower the barrier to accessing counseling services.
"Simply consulting a professional early and receiving appropriate help for depression and stress can make a significant difference in recovery," district mayor Lee Gi-jae said. "We will continue to strengthen the mental health safety net so that residents can enjoy a bright and healthy daily life."
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