Mindlink: A stigma‐free youth‐friendly community‐based early‐intervention centre in Korea

Abstract

Aim In many Asian countries, youth mental health services are not well‐developed and access to treatment is generally delayed. Here, we present a community‐based service model based on our experience with Mindlink, the first early‐intervention centre of its kind in Korea. Methods We describe the history of this mental health early‐intervention service and the characteristics of users, as well as its intervention programmes and research directions. We also propose ways to further develop youth mental health services. Results A community‐based early‐intervention service for youth was first introduced in 2012, when a special team was formed in a community mental health centre of Korea. As the numbers of young clients increased, a youth‐friendly, early‐intervention centre called Mindlink was opened in 2016. Mindlink targets those aged 15–30 years with mental illness less than 5 years in duration. Its goal is to detect mental illness in young people early and provide comprehensive multidisciplinary interventions. It provides intensive case management and group programmes including cognitive‐behavioural therapy, family intervention, psychoeducation, behavioural activation and physical health promotion. The Korean government has officially announced that the Mindlink model is effective and is currently in the process of scaling it up on a national level. Conclusion An accessible, youth‐friendly, stigma‐free, community mental health centre such as Mindlink allows early detection and appropriate management of mental illness in young patients.

Risk and protective factors of depression in the general population during the COVID-19 epidemic in Korea

“…Taken together, these results indicate that populations who are psychosocially vulnerable may be more severely affected by the distress associated with COVID-19. Therefore, we should observe these vulnerable populations carefully to facilitate early detection of mental health problems and to provide more active support [50].…”

Public health primary prevention implemented by clinical high-risk services for psychosis

“…1 ). It included 13 standalone CHR-P services from Australia [ 17 – 20 ], Brazil [ 21 ], Germany [ 22 ], Netherlands [ 23 ], Poland [ 24 , 25 ], South Korea [ 26 ], Singapore [ 27 , 28 ], UK [ 29 – 36 ], and US [ 37 , 38 ], and 40 integrated CHR-P services from Australia [ 39 – 42 ], Canada [ 43 , 44 ], Chile [ 45 ], China (Hong Kong) [ 46 – 48 ], France [ 49 ], Greece [ 50 , 51 ], Italy [ 52 – 61 ], Japan [ 62 ], Norway [ 63 , 64 ], South Korea [ 65 ], Spain [ 66 , 67 ], Switzerland [ 68 – 71 ], Tunisia [ 72 ], UK [ 36 , 73 , 74 ]; three networks of CHR-P services: the Early Detection Intervention and Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP) [ 75 , 76 ], the Pan-London Network for Psychosis Prevention (PNP) [ 36 ], and Swiss Early Psychosis Project (SWEPP) [ 70 ]; five studies on national or regional surveys: 18 Early Intervention Services (EIS) from Canada [ 77 ], 45 [ 78 ] and 46 [ 79 ] EIS from Italy (two different surveys), 11 EIS from Portugal [ 80 ], and 50 EIS from the United Kingdom [ 81 ]; and one global survey of 47 CHR-P services [ 11 ] (eFig. 1 ).…”

“… Domains Interventions Demographic Service characteristics • Anti-stigma and youth-friendly community setting and service delivery. [ 17 , 20 , 35 , 44 , 52 , 53 , 65 ] • Flexible outreach approach to enhance engagement of young people. [ 37 , 65 ] • Presence in catchment areas with high levels of ethnic minorities.…”

“…[ 17 , 20 , 35 , 44 , 52 , 53 , 65 ] • Flexible outreach approach to enhance engagement of young people. [ 37 , 65 ] • Presence in catchment areas with high levels of ethnic minorities. [ 29 , 30 , 35 , 76 ] • Community engagement projects focused on young people from ethnic minorities.…”

Current and Future Trends in Hospital Utilization of Patients With Schizophrenia in Korea: A Time Series Analysis Using National Health Insurance Data

“…24 Our results show steady increases in the numbers of treated patients in their 20s and under, which suggests a potential improvement in public awareness in Korea of the need for early treatment of schizophrenia. 8,9 Further studies should investigate the association between DUP and increasing hospital utilization in young patients with schizophrenia.…”