The Small Business Agency announced on August 18 that it is collaborating with the Korea Life Respect Hope Foundation to establish a safety net for small business owners.
This initiative targets male small business owners in their 50s, who are classified as high-risk for suicide, aiming to enhance support for life respect and mental health. According to the agency, 53.0% of the primary motivations for suicide among men in this age group stem from economic issues, highlighting the need for proactive responses to psychological and emotional crises alongside financial assistance.
The Small Business Agency and the Hope Foundation have significantly increased the one-on-one matching between small business support centers and suicide prevention centers from 35 to 61, creating a more robust community-based safety net for small business owners.
Additionally, the agency has made the PHQ-9 depression screening tool available at these centers, allowing small business owners to assess their mental health status. If identified as high-risk, they will be referred to the dedicated counseling hotline '109' and local suicide prevention centers for professional support and management.
The program also supports the psychological recovery and re-employment of small business owners contemplating closure or who have already shut down their businesses. In collaboration with the Korea Forest Welfare Institute and the Hope Foundation, specialized psychological recovery programs are offered to help stabilize mental health and prepare for new beginnings. One-on-one customized consulting from professional consultants for re-employment is also continuously available.
In Tae-yeon, the head of the Small Business Agency, stated, "It is essential to provide support that considers the mental well-being of small business owners who are facing difficulties, ensuring they do not feel isolated. We will strengthen cooperation with specialized institutions to establish a comprehensive safety net that identifies at-risk small business owners early and connects them with the necessary assistance."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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