Gyeonggi Province Expands Mental Health Clinic Coverage for Youth from Depression to Stress

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province has expanded eligible diseases for its 'Youth Mental Health Clinic Fee Support' program, which covers outpatient psychiatric treatment costs for youth without income restrictions, from existing conditions such as schizophrenia and depression to stress and neurosis.

The Youth Mental Health Clinic Fee Support (Youth Mind Care) program provides a maximum of 360,000 won annually in outpatient psychiatric treatment fees to Gyeonggi Province youth ages 19-34 who receive an initial diagnosis of a mental health condition within the past five years, without requiring registration at a mental health welfare center or meeting income criteria.

Given the nature of mental health conditions, where consistent treatment in the early stages of onset is crucial, the program has been in operation since last year to support early recovery of youth mental health.

Previously, eligible diseases for support were limited to psychiatric disease codes F20~29 (schizophrenia, delusional disorders) or F30~39 (mood and affective disorders including bipolar disorder and depression), but starting in August, F40~48 (neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders) was newly added.

This decision was made in consideration of youth mental health issues such as economic difficulties, severe stress, and anxiety resulting from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'National Mental Health Survey on COVID-19' from the second quarter of 2021, the proportion of depression risk groups among those in their 20s and 30s were 24.3% and 22.6% respectively, the highest among all age groups.

Based on psychiatric treatment statistics within the province as of 2019, F30~39 accounted for 181,000 cases and F40~48 accounted for 176,000 cases, showing that F40~48 patients are also substantial in number.

Additionally, the exclusion criteria were narrowed from 'health insurance premium defaulters' to 'those subject to benefit restrictions due to health insurance premium default,' allowing more youth to benefit from the program.

Applicants seeking support may apply at mental health welfare centers in any of the 31 municipalities and counties in Gyeonggi Province after outpatient treatment (initial diagnosis within five years).

Ryu Young-chul, director of Gyeonggi Province's Department of Health, stated, "In the ongoing difficult situation caused by COVID-19, we have established enhanced support measures to address psychological and emotional issues of Gyeonggi Province youth," and added, "We will continue to do our best to help young people regain their mental health."

Meanwhile, the province assigned dedicated youth mental health personnel to mental health welfare centers in all 31 municipalities and counties throughout the latter half of last year and the first half of this year, and is also implementing the 'Youth Mind Talk Talk' program, an outreach counseling service connecting with 'Youth Spaces' facilities in municipalities and counties that are frequently used by young people, to improve accessibility to mental health services for youth.