Suwon Becomes First Local Government in Nation to Enact 'Public Official Mental Health Promotion Ordinance'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special Metropolitan City announced on the 26th that it has enacted the 'Ordinance on Promotion of Mental Health of Public Officials,' marking the first case among local governments nationwide.

The Ordinance on Promotion of Mental Health of Public Officials represents the first instance of a local government systematically managing and supporting the mental health of civil servants through institutional measures. It was passed at the plenary session of the Suwon Special Metropolitan City Council held on the 24th.

Recently, growing concerns about public officials' mental health have emerged as more cases occur of civil servants suffering from mental illnesses or making extreme choices due to emotional exhaustion from abusive language from citizens and depression caused by organizational conflicts.

Until now, mental health issues in the public sector have mostly been perceived as matters to be resolved at the individual level or have relied on grievance handling procedures. With the enactment of this ordinance, the city has institutionally established a 'civil servant mental health management system' centered on prevention and support.

According to the Ordinance on Promotion of Mental Health of Public Officials, the Mayor of Suwon must establish a 'public official mental health management plan' every three years. Key components of the management plan include △regular stress diagnosis and psychological testing △operation of psychological counseling programs △improvement of work environment △response to mental health-damaging conduct △establishment of cooperation systems with related institutions and experts.

Based on this ordinance, the city plans to provide mental health psychological screening to all employees starting next year, and will connect them with consultations and treatment from psychiatry specialists as needed.

Additionally, in cooperation with the Suwon Happiness Mental Health Center, the city plans to actively support civil servants in finding psychological stability in their daily lives by operating customized counseling programs tailored to individual needs.

A city official stated, "The mental health of public officials is the foundation of administrative sustainability and public trust," and added, "Through the enactment of this ordinance, we will provide institutional support for an environment where civil servants can work with confidence." The official further noted, "We will carefully manage so that the health of the public official organization leads to citizen happiness."