Health ministry hosts career camp for youth mental health experts

The Ministry of Health and Welfare held the 2026 Youth Mental Health Career Growth Camp at the National Center for Mental Health on August 26. The event recorded a three-to-one competition ratio, with organizers selecting participants based on their social contribution experience, interest in the field, and diverse regional and academic backgrounds.

Under Director Nam Yoon-young, the camp explored the evolving role of mental health professionals amid the spread of artificial intelligence and digital healthcare technologies through expert talk shows, institutional exploration sessions, and on-site mentoring.

The session "How Will Mental Health Professionals Evolve in the AI Era?" featured presentations by Baek Jong-woo of Kyung Hee University Hospital, Lee Su-jin of the Seoul Suicide Prevention Center, and Jeong Du-young of KAIST Mind Care & Growth Center. Speakers addressed mental health crises among future generations, loneliness, social isolation, and digital mental health.

Twelve mental health-related associations and institutions subsequently joined a roundtable discussion to help attendees explore various jobs and career tracks. Participants visited tables hosted by organizations including the Gyeonggi Provincial Mental Health Welfare Center, the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, and the Korean Association of Mental Health Social Workers to compare major duties and required preparations.

The final segment included job mentoring with twelve field experts who explained actual work processes, collaboration methods, and necessary competencies. Attendees also toured key facilities within the center, such as clinics, wards, and rehabilitation program spaces.

Lee Sun-young, the ministry's mental health policy director, emphasized that the role of youth in leading the future mental health landscape is more important than ever given emerging issues like loneliness and social withdrawal. She stated the government would continue to support career exploration so young people can grow into talented professionals with new perspectives.

Nam Yoon-young noted that while AI and digital technologies expand quickly, the human capacity to understand minds and aid recovery remains vital. He expressed hope that the camp would serve as an opportunity for youth to concretize their own visions and career plans.