Suwon, South Korea – July 16, 2025 – In a significant step to support the mental well-being of its first responders, the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters officially opened the Gyeonggi 119 Mind Health Center on its first floor in Paldal-gu, Suwon.
The center aims to provide ongoing treatment for psychological ailments, including trauma stress syndrome (PTSD) and depression, commonly experienced by firefighters due to repeated exposure to severe fire incidents.
Statistics underscore the need for such a facility. A joint survey by Bundang Seoul National University Hospital revealed that 43.9% of firefighters grapple with psychological issues like depression and sleep disorders. Furthermore, 4.9% are classified as high-risk suicide groups. Troublingly, the suicide rate among national firefighting officials has been five times higher over the past five years.
Gyeonggi-do established this dedicated Psychological Support Center, the first of its kind in the country, to bolster existing mental health initiatives. These include a “visiting counseling room,” a “healing program,” and financial assistance for medical expenses.
The Gyeonggi 119 Mind Health Center spans 540 square meters and includes four distinct counseling rooms (named warmth, starlight, narae, and joint), a play therapy room, a group counseling room, a self-value loss room, and a multipurpose room. Every aspect, from the initial design to the spatial arrangement, prioritized a healing-oriented environment, incorporating input from psychiatrists and psychological experts.
Four professional counselors, each with an average of 20 years of experience, will be stationed at the center. They will offer personalized services, including psychological assessments, one-on-one counseling, appraisal recovery programs, and intensive care for high-risk individuals.
“The Gyeonggi 119 Mind Health Center is not just a counseling space,” stated Kim Jae-Byung. “It’s the starting point for integrating psychological recovery into our systematic support.”
Approximately 60 individuals attended the opening ceremony. Among them were the Chairman of the Gyeonggi-do Council’s Safety Administration Committee and other firefighting officials. Attendees gained insight into the center’s background, operational plans, and explored its main facilities, collectively aligning on its future direction.
