Busan is expanding mental health support for young residents, accelerating its shift toward "preventive emotional care." The initiative centers on customized counseling aimed at youth facing mounting psychological strain from a tough job market and social isolation.
The city announced Wednesday that it is recruiting participants for its "2026 Youth Mind Connection Program." The program provides professional psychological counseling to young people experiencing emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression, helping them transition smoothly into society.
This year's program will support 1,020 participants, with 700 slots allocated for one-on-one counseling and 300 for group counseling. An additional 20 slots are reserved for vulnerable groups, including socially isolated or reclusive youth, family caregivers, and the long-term unemployed.
One-on-one counseling consists of up to seven sessions (about 50 minutes each) with a professional counselor. After five standard sessions, two additional sessions can be provided if needed, allowing for in-depth treatment of individual circumstances. Group counseling offers 25 programs covering interpersonal relationships, stress management, and self-understanding, based on empathy and communication among peers.
To improve accessibility, counseling will be conducted in partnership with professional institutions and at local youth spaces such as the Busan Youth Center. Participants can apply online through the Busan Youth Platform on a first-come, first-served basis.
For one-on-one counseling, the first round will recruit 400 participants from the 20th through the 24th, with an additional 300 to be recruited in July. Group counseling will open its first round from the 18th through the 29th of next month for 150 participants, followed by another 150 in August. Vulnerable groups will be selected separately through recommendations from local governments and related agencies.
The program's effectiveness has also been confirmed. Last year, 1,145 participants took part, drawing strong response, and indicators for anxiety and depression showed meaningful improvement after counseling.
The city plans to expand the policy, viewing youth mental health as a matter of social support rather than a personal issue. "We will strengthen the social support system so that young people do not have to carry life's burdens alone," Busan Mayor Park Heong-jun said. "We will continue to pursue policies that help restore mental health and encourage social participation."
