• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.341-350
• /
• 2015

This study aims to understand main contents of the National Mental Health Strategy and changes after mental health reform through the National Mental Health Strategy in Australia, and to find some convergence policy implications on mental health policy in South Korea. The direction of reform has changed considerably over the 20 years that the National Mental Health Strategy has been in place including the National Mental Health Policy(1992, 2008), the National Mental Health Plan(1993~2014), COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health(2006~2011), the Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform 2012-2022. The National Mental Health Strategy has advocated fundamental change in the national spending on mental health, mental health service provision, the expansion of community-based mental health services and care system, NGO, consumer and carer participation in mental health care.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.789-802
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to present implications for effective operation of domestic school-based mental health services by comparing those in Singapore the United States, Australia. Based on reviewing the public data and previous article, researchers conducted a comparative study on the background, history, goal, and managing process of overseas and domestic organizations. The result of comparison in overseas cases suggests that the foundation of school-based mental health project was laid with the national health plan and detailed frame work for implementation. It was also discussed that domestic school-based mental health project is still in introduction stage, while foreign services were delivered efficiently through the leading agency and the cooperation between government ministries and institutions were active. It suggests that cooperation between government ministries, preparation of an effective operating system, and various approaches for students, guardians and teachers are need for domestic school-based mental health project.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.679-688
• /
• 2022

This paper focuses on the usability of smart healthcare based on the development of Information and Communication Technology(ICT), briefly introduces concepts and the current status related to smart healthcare, and discusses strategies and future tasks in the field of mental health welfare in the COVID-19 era. This paper first introduces the smart healthcare programs of the National Mental Health Center and the Seoul Mental Health Welfare Center. Second, we introduce various smart healthcare programs used in Germany, China, the U.S., and Australia, review the actual examples, and examine both public and private responsiveness. Finally, we examine the possibility of using smart healthcare in the mental health social work system in South Korea and examine future tasks and implications. This paper would contribute to the growth of world-class mental health social work services.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Recently, the number of severely mentally ill patients has been increasing rapidly in Korea, but there are no design guidelines for spatial planning of Korea's acute psychiatric wards. The study aims to clarify the areas and required rooms in Korea's acute psychiatric wards which are important in establishing the design guidelines for Korea's acute psychiatric wards. Methods: This study proposed a structural framework based on the results of investigating and analyzing the acute psychiatric ward guidelines in the UK, Australia, and the U.S. and the areas and the required rooms of the wards stipulated in the basic data for establishing acute psychiatric ward design guidelines in Korea. The design guidelines for overseas acute psychiatric wards are 'Adult Acute Mental Health' in the UK, 'Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit' in the Australia, and 'Specific Requirements for Mental Health Hospitals' in the United States. Results: As a result of investigating and analyzing the design guidelines for overseas acute psychiatric wards, the areas of wards applicable to acute wards in domestic psychiatric wards were access, patient, treatment, support, and employee areas. In addition, the required rooms for each area were defined around major considerations such as visibility, convenience, comfort, security, safety, patient observation, barrier-free design, and privacy protection. Implications: The results of the study will be presented as a structural framework and basic data for establishing design guidelines for Korea's acute psychiatric wards, which is still absent.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.75-94
• /
• 1999

This study explored the understanding of health of people from Korea. Data were collected from a total of eighteen focus groups: Koreans (living in Korea), Korean-Australians, Korean-Americans and Australians. The data were analysed using QSR NUD＊IST. The meaning of health varied among people and it was related to differences in age, culture, gender, marital status and perceived health status of individuals. However, there were several themes common to everybody. All groups included aspects of physical, mental, emotional (and spiritual), environmental and social dimensions in their definitions of health. All young single groups placed more emphasis on physical and lifestyle factors whereas mental and emotional aspects and social responsibility were more associated with health among older married groups. Young women in all cultures felt social pressure to 'look good' and the media was perceived as responsible. Men in general associated health with societal roles and social competition. Health was strongly associated with the economy and economic stability for all Korean groups reflecting the recent adverse economic situation in Korea. This information will be of value to health professionals to provide more effective health services and health promotion programs for clients of Korean ethnicity living in multicultural societies like Australia and America.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.11 no.12
• /
• pp.537-549
• /
• 2013

This study examines implications for the Korean military health survey from literature review on foreign military health surveys. The authors discuss backgrounds, objectives, participants, methods, contents, organizations involved, and cycles of foreign military health surveys from literature review from peer-reviewed journals as well as reports and documents collected from web-sites of governmental organizations. Common and distinguishing characteristics were found from foreign military health surveys. First, the military health surveys have evolved in phases in the direction of reducing health risk factors. Second, the importance of mental health is being emphasized. Third, cooperations and collaborations of governments, universities, and professional agencies are important in order to ensure anonymity and expertise on data collection and analysis. Finally, health surveys are conducted on a regular basis through institutionalization. To monitor and to promote health of military personnel, it is critical for Korea to establish the legal and institutional environment and to recognize the importance as well as the need of military health surveys at the national level.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2023

Background: International evidence shows that mining workers are at greater risk of suicide than other workers; however, it is not known whether this applies to the Australian mining sector. Methods: Using data from the National Coronial Information System, rates of suicide among male mining workers were compared to those of three comparators: construction workers, mining and construction workers combined, and all other workers. Age-standardized suicide rates were calculated for 2001-2019 and across three intervals '2001-2006', '2007-2011', and '2012-2019'. Incidence rate ratios for suicide were calculated to compare incidence rates for mining workers, to those of the three comparative groups. Results: The suicide rate for male mining workers in Australia was estimated to be between 11 and 25 per 100,000 (likely closer to 25 per 100,000) over the period of 2001-2019. There was also evidence that the suicide rate among mining workers is increasing, and the suicide rate among mining workers for the period 2012-2019 was significantly higher than the other worker group. Conclusions: Based on available data, we tentatively deduce that suicide mortality among male mining workers is of concern. More information is needed on both industry and occupation of suicide decedents in order to better assess whether, and the extent to which, mining workers (and other industries and occupations) are at increased risk of suicide.