2024-03-24 20:02:09
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family) announced on the 6th that it will launch a one-stop package pilot project to help isolated and reclusive youth recover physically and mentally and reintegrate into society.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family held the 22nd Youth Policy Committee from the 27th to the 29th of last month and deliberated and decided on the ‘Discover and Support Plan for Isolated and Secluded Youth’ to implement a pilot project to support isolated and reclusive youth and conduct a fact-finding survey. This project will be promoted starting this month, focusing on 12 out-of-school youth support centers (hereinafter referred to as centers) across the country.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family provides customized support for the entire process, from diagnosis of the level of isolation and seclusion to counseling, healing, learning, and restoration of family relationships. Specifically, a dedicated counselor will check whether 16,000 teenagers (as of 2022) who have been linked to the Dream Center after stopping their studies but have not used the center for more than three months are isolated or reclusive.
The center uses the ‘Secluded Youth Screening Scale’ to specifically diagnose each individual’s level of isolation and seclusion. The one-on-one dedicated manager will visit the home and provide professional counseling while forming an emotional bond.
In particular, youth who are at risk of making extreme choices or self-harm can receive support in connection with an intensive psychological clinic at a youth counseling and welfare center near their home. Reclusive youth who have experienced financial difficulties receive help through special support for youth at risk. Special support for at-risk youth provides living expenses of less than 650,000 won per month, treatment expenses of less than 2 million won per year, independence support expenses of less than 360,000 won per month, and legal support expenses of less than 3.5 million won per year.
In addition, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will conduct its first nationwide survey in May of this year to comprehensively understand the living conditions and characteristics of isolated and reclusive youth. The target group is youth aged 9 to 24 who have experienced isolation or seclusion. In addition, the Youth Welfare Support Act will be revised to include isolated and reclusive youth in the scope of support under the Youth Welfare Support Act.
Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family Shin Young-sook said, “Recently, the phenomenon of isolation and seclusion has spread as a social problem, and the number of isolated youth is estimated at 140,000. We will build a strong support system so that youth who need help can receive timely support and recover their daily lives.” “he said.
Reporter Shin Shin-seop Photo News 1
.
2024-03-24 20:02:09