보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Psychological COVID-19 support plan for recovery to a new normal

일상회복을 위한 코로나 심리지원 추진

 

PRESS RELEASE

June 3, 2022

 

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters received and discussed a report from the Central Disease Control Headquarters of Korea about the “results of the COVID-19 Mental Health Survey” (Q1 2022) and the “psychological COVID-19 support plan for a recovery to a new normal”.

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has organized a group of integrated psychological support centers* from the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to handle 26.15 million cases of information provision and 5.85 million cases of psychological counseling for confirmed patients and COVID-19 response personnel (Jan. 2020 - Apr. 2022).

 

* Composed of 5 national/regional centers for disaster and trauma and 260 metropolitan/local mental health welfare centers

 

Since September 2020, MOHW has sought psychological support measures in tandem with developments in the COVID-19 situation, such as through operating the Ministerial and Provincial Council on COVID-19 Depression and preparing the “joint ministerial psychological support measures”.

 

<COVID-19 National Mental Health Survey Results>

The COVID-19 National Mental Health Survey has been conducted for 2,603 adults nationwide on a quarterly basis since March 2020. The main findings of the recent survey in March 2022* are as follows.

 

* Conducted by the Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

 

(1) (Depression) The depression risk group* was found to be continuing its downward trend to 18.5%**, but the figure remains higher than the pre-pandemic level (3.2% in 2019).

 

* Depression (PHQ-9): 10 or higher out of 27 points

** (’20.3) 17.5% → (’21.3) 22.8% → (’21.12) 18.9% → (’22.3) 18.5%

By age, the highest rates were recorded in the order of those in their 30s (26.7%), 40s (20.4%), and 20s (18.6%).

By gender, the figure was higher in women (20.3%) than in men (16.7%).

 

In addition, the rate was higher among the respondents who experienced a decrease in household income (22.7%) than others whose household income increased or did not change (16.7%).

 

 

(2) (Suicidal Thoughts) Suicidal thoughts also showed a downward trend* to 11.5%, but the result was still higher than the pre-pandemic level (4.6% in 2019).

 

* (’20.3) 9.7% → (’21.3) 16.3% → (’21.12) 13.6% → (’22.3) 11.5%

 

The highest rates were recorded in the order of those in their 30s (15.2%), 40s (13.3%), and 20s (11.9%), and the figure was higher in those who experienced a decrease in household income (15.2%) than others, similar to the results of the depression risk group.

 

By gender, the number was higher in men (12.2%) than in women (10.9%).

 

(3) (Anxiety) Anxiety was recorded at 3.8 points (of 21 points in total), showing a downward trend over time.

 

* (’20.3.) 5.5 points →(’21.3.) 4.6 points → (’22.3.) 3.8 points

(4) (Stigma Against Persons Infected with COVID-19*) The figure was 6.6 points (of 15 points in total), decreasing from last year’s results (8.1-7.3 points).

 

* A total of 15 points with 1-5 points for 3 items, respectively (A person infected with COVID-19 ① is harmful to society, ② has a deadly virus, ③ is disgusting.)

 

 

 

(5) (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder* (PTSD)) The PTSD risk group (3 or higher out of 5 points) accounted for 12.8% in total.

 

* As the percentage of infected individuals increased among the general public, PTSD was included in the survey for the first time in March 2022.

 

The risk group ratio was higher at 21.6% among those who responded that they had experienced traumatic events such as isolation, infection with coronavirus, or death of close persons such as family members associated with COVID-19 (1,216 respondents).

 

(6) (Awareness of Mental Health Services/Willingness to Use) The awareness of mental health services was only 18.1%, which was lower than the willingness to use such services (57.8%).

 

 

The principal investigator (Hyun Jin-hee, Department of Social Welfare, Daegu University) emphasized that the ratio of the depression risk group was higher among those in their 30s, women, or those who experienced a decrease in household income, and the ratio of suicidal thoughts was higher among those in their 30s, men, and those who experienced a decrease in household income. Since the depression risk group of those in their 40s has been increasing recently, she stressed, it requires more attention from society.

 

In addition, social and economic problems, including a decline in income, the rising unemployment rate, and a lack of daycare due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, were pointed out as risk factors for mental health.

 

<Psychological Support Measures for a recovery to a new normal>

Based on the survey findings, psychological support measures to help the public recovery to a new normal life will be prepared and implemented.

 

(1) Community-centered psychological programs aligned with efforts to recovery to a new normal life

 

Aligned with shifts in the general medical system as part of the efforts to recovery to a new normal life, psychological programs for confirmed patients will be transferred from the National and Regional Centers for Disaster and Trauma to the Community Mental Health Welfare Centers to offer comprehensive mental health services at the local community level.

 

 

(2) Support focused on the vulnerable population such as COVID-19 bereaved families and COVID-19 response personnel

 

The professional counseling and mourning programs available at the National Center for Disaster and Trauma will be provided for bereaved families, and the burnout management program will be promoted for COVID-19 response personnel.

 

In addition, customized services will be available for each vulnerable group such as children and adolescents, youth, women, and laborers and small business owners.

For children and adolescents, the Community Mental Health Welfare Centers will leverage local networks to identify at-risk individuals early, offer medical case management and consultation services, and support medical expenses.

 

For the mental health of young adults in their 20s and 30s, a “mind health program” specialized for youth will be initiated and the Youth Mental Early Intervention Center will be expanded across the country*.

* 12 cities/provinces in 2021 → 17 cities/provinces in 2022

 

The Women’s Mental Health Program and the Forest Prenatal Education (Korea Forest Service) will be provided for women, and psychological counseling services will be available for workers and small business owners.

 

(3) Diversification of psychological services

 

Psychological support services will also be diversified by expanding outreach and in-person programs, which have been restricted due to social distancing.

 

The Mind Relief Bus outreach program will be expanded to 50 buses by the end of this year (from 32 in 2021).

 

Local resources like national parks and tourist attractions will be utilized to further diversify programs and services.

 

 

 

In addition, in-depth psychological counseling will be promoted by working with private experts such as civil society groups and local psychiatrists.

 

(4) Reinforcement of follow-up management such as mental health checkups for the public

 

Mental health checkups are currently included in the national health examination with a depression screening conducted once every 10 years, but follow-up management such as counseling and treatment is not being provided.

 

A follow-up management system will be established based on the depression screening test results by the second half of 2022 to integrate counseling and treatment.

 

Going forward, a separate mental health checkup system at the same level as the national health examination will be introduced.

 

(5) Heightened awareness of mental health services

 

The Mental Health Welfare Center and the Mental Health Crisis Line (1577-0199) will be promoted through working with Internet portals and local public institutions in order to raise awareness of mental health services.

 

More efforts will be made to identify vulnerable individuals in blind spots and encourage them to register at the Community Mental Health Welfare Centers, thereby improving accessibility to such services.

 

MOHW stated that central government ministries and local governments will continue to promote psychological support to ensure that anyone in need can access related services and recovery to a new normal life with a healthy mind.

 

 

// For inquiries contact Media Relations, Ministry of Health and Welfare

044-202-2047 or fairytale@korea.kr

 

http://www.mohw.go.kr/react/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&page=1&CONT_SEQ=371691