Post-Crisis Program for At-Risk Youth

The Post-Crisis Program for At-Risk Youth in Anyang City, Korea, aims to build a relationship of trust between at-risk youth and social workers, while ensuring personalized follow-up after a crisis situation. The main objective is to support the psychological and emotional stability of adolescents, fostering their healthy growth and sustainable integration into society. This program is part of a preventive and resilience-based approach, creating a lasting safety net around the young people involved.

The project took place in 2025 at the Youth Counseling Welfare Center and nearby experiential activity organizations. It involved 30 at-risk youth and case managers. The activities included experiential workshops, one-on-one conversations, and the sharing of letters of encouragement, all designed to promote emotional expression and the development of social skills.

Thanks to the aftercare support, the youth improved their social skills and strengthened their self-esteem. The psychological and emotional support provided after the end of traditional counseling helped maintain stability and healthy adaptation, reducing the risks of relapse or isolation. This extended follow-up proved essential for consolidating progress and facilitating harmonious reintegration into their environment.

The lessons learned from the program highlight certain challenges, such as the difficulty of scheduling activities suitable for youth of various school grades, and the need to increase the duration of interventions to meet participants’ expectations. It is also crucial to enhance the active participation of youth in program design, to better meet their needs and optimize their engagement.

Finally, individualized follow-up and the establishment of strong rapport between youth and professionals are identified as top priorities. This personalized approach ensures effective and lasting support, while contributing to the prevention of long-term psychological disorders. The Anyang City program thus stands as an inspiring example of good practice in mental health, focused on continuous support and the empowerment of at-risk youth.