Gwangmyeong City Shifts Suicide Prevention Paradigm with Integrated Response System

Gwangmyeong City (Mayor Park Seung-won) is transforming its suicide prevention policy paradigm. On the 31st, the city held its first meeting at the City Hall main conference room, establishing the "Gwangmyeong City Integrated Suicide Prevention Task Force (TF) in Response to Livelihood Crises."

The "Gwangmyeong City Integrated Suicide Prevention Task Force (TF) in Response to Livelihood Crises" goes beyond the existing approach of managing suicide risk solely within the mental health sector. Instead, it works to identify various difficulties citizens face in daily life early on and prevent crises from deepening by connecting necessary welfare, economic, employment, and housing support.

The task force is headed by Mayor Park Seung-won as suicide prevention officer, with Professor Lee Won-young from Chung-Ang University's Department of Preventive Medicine as advisor. It comprises department heads and division chiefs from seven sectors: regional safety, economic stability, welfare, housing stability, youth support, mental health management, and public relations.

To facilitate substantive collaboration and policy coordination within the task force, a working subcommittee has been established. It includes team leaders from 19 departments handling welfare, economy, employment, housing, and tax matters, as well as representatives from the Suicide Prevention Center, Mental Health and Welfare Center, and Regional Economic Strategy Research Center.

For example, citizens facing economic hardship have welfare support and employment policies linked together. When complex difficulties such as housing insecurity or caregiving burdens are identified, related departments and agencies work together to comprehensively provide necessary support tailored to the situation.

Mayor Park Seung-won stated, "I will create a city where we densely connect safety nets across all areas touching citizens' lives—including welfare, economy, employment, and housing—so that we do not miss even the smallest warning signs of crisis and people can receive the help they need at the right time."

Following the designation of Mayor Park Seung-won as suicide prevention officer in March, the city established a Suicide Prevention Team under the Integrated Care Division in August to oversee regional suicide prevention policies and strengthen coordination and collaboration among related departments.