Mental Illness

[Anchor Lead]

With a series of incidents involving mentally unstable people recently, many are calling for creating conditions to help people with mental disorders. The South Korean government plans to launch a project to help those suffering from mental illnesses, assimilate into their communities more easily.

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​This welfare facility is home to eight people with mental disorders. They are supervised by social workers who assist them with their rehabilitation. The center helps those with mental illnesses to adapt to society.

[Soundbite] Chung Woo-shik(Patient) : "When I was hospitalized, I wanted to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. There is no freedom there. I was completely isolated."

The government plans to launch a project to have regional communities provide care to these patients. Those who have been hospitalized for a prolonged period will be able to receive help from local communities in terms of housing and health care. But eliminating social bias against people with mental disorders is essential to ensure the success of the project.

[Soundbite] Choi Dong-pyo(Director of group home for mental illness patients) : "Mentally challenged people face difficulties in finding a place to live, because local residents do not want them to be part of their communities."

People suffering from mental illnesses need special care as they try to assimilate into society. This requires the exchange of information among relevant institutions.

[Soundbite] Prof. Nam Kung-ki(Severance Hospital) : "There must be legal grounds for sharing patients' information on their health history and financial situations."

Eight local governments will be selected to carry out the community care project to help the elderly, people with physical or mental disabilities, and the homeless by April.