Seoul Metropolitan Government holds event to commemorate Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Day

On October 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the 2026 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Day commemorative event at XSCALA in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event was organized to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and Mental Health Day on October 10, with the purpose of looking after the mental health of citizens and spreading a culture of respect for life.

Approximately 400 people attended the event, including workers from related organizations such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, public health centers, and mental health welfare centers, as well as police, stakeholders, family activists, and citizens. Singer Park Jang-hyun was appointed as the 36th Seoul Metropolitan Mental Health Guardian, and 37 individuals and 13 institutions who contributed to the mental health of citizens and the spread of a culture of respect for life received the Seoul Mayor's Award and other honors.

In the second part of the event, the Seoul Metropolitan Mental Health Welfare Center, the Seoul Suicide Prevention Center, and the Seoul Metropolitan Psychological Support Center declared their integrated vision, "Building Seoul's Mental Well-Being Together," which they will promote together. A lecture by psychiatrist Kim Byung-hoo was followed by field-specific case presentations from the Gangseo-gu Mental Health Welfare Center, Dongdaemun-gu Mental Health Welfare Center, and the Gangnam-gu Youth Psychological Support Center. Performances by the Birch Choir and Park Jang-hyun were also prepared.

The integrated vision of the three institutions shows a direction to link and address mental health promotion, suicide prevention, and psychological support. For such cooperation to lead to a system where citizens receive the help they need in a timely manner, cooperation between institutions and field projects must continue.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to continue campaigns and cooperative projects to look after the mental health of citizens and connect them to necessary support.