Mental health support in Korea you can get without worrying about money

Community mental health welfare centers

Public centers in every city, county, and district in Korea. Any resident can use them for free.

• Mental health counseling and screening
• Referral to hospitals when needed
• Case management and rehabilitation for people with serious mental illness
• Support for people at risk of suicide and for bereaved families
• Family counseling and education

Search online for "[district name] 정신건강복지센터," or call 1577-0199 to be connected to the nearest center.

National psychological counseling support

Since 2024, Korea has offered vouchers for professional psychological counseling to people with emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety. The amount you pay depends on your income.

You can apply if a community mental health welfare center, university counseling center, or hospital finds that you need counseling. Applications are made at your local community service center or through Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr).

Eligibility, number of sessions, and co-payments may change each year. Always check Bokjiro or the Ministry of Health and Welfare before applying.

Treatment cost support

Some support is available for part of the treatment costs in certain cases, such as early-stage mental illness or emergency and administrative admissions. There are conditions such as income limits, so ask a community mental health welfare center or your hospital.

Where to go by situation

• Suicide Prevention Line 109 (24/7)
• Mental Health Crisis Line 1577-0199 (24/7)
• Young people: youth counseling 1388, and Wee classes and Wee centers at schools
• College students: university student counseling centers (mostly free)
• Employees: the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or your company's own counseling program
• People affected by disasters or accidents: the National Center for Disaster Trauma