New 'isolation prevention' subcommittee within the local social security council strengthens public-private cooperation, offering staged emotional recovery support from relationship-building activities to an arts therapy camp
Jungnang-gu in Seoul has been running a "Mind Recovery Program" since May to help middle-aged residents struggling with social isolation and withdrawal rebuild emotional stability and social connections.
The program is a joint initiative between Jungnang-gu and the Jungnang-gu Community Social Security Council. It targets 40 isolated and withdrawn middle-aged residents selected through local welfare centers, running six sessions from May through July.
The program is structured to support participants' gradual recovery of relationships and psychological stability. It progresses through six stages: relationship-building activities, physical activity (health exercise), a mindfulness activity (horticulture program), a humanities activity (a visit to Mangwu History and Culture Park), a self-reflection activity (a two-day, one-night arts therapy camp), and a closing outcomes-sharing session.
The program particularly aims to help participants rebuild social networks and restore everyday routines through natural communication and interaction with one another.
To address growing social isolation driven by the rise of single-person households and the weakening of social networks, the district established an "isolation prevention" subcommittee within the Jungnang-gu Community Social Security Council in February. The subcommittee brings together public and private organizations — including welfare centers, a mental health and welfare center, a family support center (single-person household support center), and medical institutions — to identify households at risk of isolation and build a coordinated support system.
"Social isolation is not an individual problem but a challenge the community must solve together," Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said. "We will continue to look after households at risk of isolation with care and pursue a wide range of support measures so that residents can rebuild relationships within the community and maintain a healthy daily life."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
