Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education expands mental health recovery support for students at risk of self-harm or emotional crises

[Financial News] The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education will expand tailored healing support to help students facing emotional difficulties and crises recover psychologically and return to stable school lives.
The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education announced on the 9th that it will expand the program’s operation starting in 2027, following a positive response in schools to the dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program introduced for the first time this year.
DBT is a psychotherapy program that helps students who struggle to regulate their emotions and behavior, including those who have attempted suicide or repeatedly self-harm, manage their emotions and communicate in healthy ways.
Four university professors who are behavioral therapy experts visit schools to teach students mindfulness, emotion regulation, stress management and interpersonal skills, among other topics, and also provide tailored education and coaching to their parents or guardians. 
The program was offered this year at 25 elementary, middle and high schools, and results showed that most participants experienced emotional stability. In a satisfaction survey, 100% of parent respondents gave positive ratings. Among students, 91.7% said, 'I learned how to manage my emotions when things are difficult,' and 83.3% said, 'It helped with my mental health and school life.' In addition, 90% of teachers in charge said the program was effective in improving students’ emotional stability and reducing crisis behaviors. 
The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education said that participating students and their families experienced positive changes, including improved ability to cope with stress and better family relationships, and that schools had also requested an expansion of the program. 
Building on these results, the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education plans to provide tailored recovery support to more students in crisis starting in 2027 and strengthen cooperation among schools, families and experts.
Busan Superintendent of Education Kim Seok-jun said, "It is an important responsibility of the education office to help students return to their daily lives and grow again through learning and relationships," adding, "We will expand tailored support involving schools, families and experts and provide thorough support for students in crisis as they heal and recover."
[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter