The Research Institute of Nursing Science opened a Center for Youth Mental Health at the Health Center of Gwangju Nam-gu District on July 20. The Center will be offered 100 million won ($85,000) annually for the center operation by Gwangju City and Gwangju Nam-gu District Office. The Center (Director: Prof. Kim Soo-jin, Dept. of Nursing Science), called
Haeorumteo,
will provide multi-disciplinary services for children, youths, their schools and families with governmental funds to be provided for the next four years. The services aim to promote the emotional, behavioral, social and psychological health of children, young people, their families or care givers and to diagnose and treat mental disorders and assist therapeutically those with mental health difficulties. The service works in collaboration with other agencies, offering consultation, advice and training where appropriate and works towards creating a context in which professionals and patients are encouraged and to take responsibility for difficulties and to discover solutions to them. Where solutions cannot be found, the service supports and assists the development of more effective management. Koreans are known for their high respect for the older members of the family and society. Filial piety has been one of the admirable traits of Korean children. Although this is being eroded by the onset of new patterns and dynamics of family and social relations, the spirit of Hyo (filial piety) is being elevated from the individual level to the national level. The nation as a whole should embrace Hyo as a national ethic. This ethic recognizes that the older members of society need to be cared for and at the same time be a part of nation-building. This can be made possible by changing their position in the society from passive recipients of care to active participants in economic, social and cultural activities. The Center will play a key role in improving this Hyo tradition for the youth education and their mental health care. Some selected schools will be designated as model schools for Hyo movement and Hyo learning program will be prepared for interested students. The Center will also promote and ensure that the mental health needs of children and their families are met within the context of community-based systems of care. Systems of care are developed on the premise that the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and their families can be met within their home, school, and community environments. The Center will provide a program of
alternative school
with Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. The mental health of school children is threatened, as significant number of high school students are suffering from depression. As the symptoms of depression, students usually cite fatigue the most, followed by sadness and feeling defeated. Teachers, parents and society should cooperate in preventing their depression and violence. The Center will work for the prevention of Internet addition, drug abuse, or violent threats, etc.