Launching an early detection test tool for at-risk students

In the future, a screening tool for at-risk students that can be used on a regular basis in all elementary, middle, and high schools will be introduced. In addition, the development of a mindfulness education program to help students control their emotions and impulses and manage stress is also being promoted.

The Ministry of Education announced on the 3rd that it will strengthen support for students’ mental health at schools, including diagnosing the mental health of all students early and preparing measures for the healing and recovery of students at risk.

First, the Ministry of Education decided to introduce the ‘Mind EASY Test’, a screening tool for at-risk students that can be used at all times in all elementary, middle, and high schools starting in March. Through this, the plan is to detect at-risk students early and support linkage with specialized institutions to help at-risk students heal and recover.

The EASY Mind Test will consist of 37 questions, including emotions and anxiety, interpersonal relationships and social skills, externalizing problems, psychological trauma problems, and school adaptation.

We will also improve the emotional and behavioral characteristics test tools that are being administered to first and fourth elementary school students and first and fourth middle school and high school students.

The reliability and validity of the current test tool will be verified and supplemented by mental health experts, and the test tool will be improved to increase the effectiveness of screening at-risk students, and distributed to schools in the 2025 school year.

Test results are also visualized so that parents can easily understand them and can be viewed and confirmed online.

In addition, for students living in medically vulnerable areas or experiencing difficulties due to cost issues, the school visit service by mental health experts and medical treatment/treatment cost support projects will be significantly expanded in terms of manpower and budget.

We help students who are found to be interested groups as a result of the test to increase the connection rate with local professional institutions so that they can directly receive help from experts.

In addition, a mindfulness education program that helps students develop positive attitudes and manage their emotions will be developed and piloted starting from the 2025 school year.

Meanwhile, these measures are included in the mental health policy innovation plan announced at the ‘Settlement Health Policy Vision Declaration Conference’ jointly held by related ministries held by the President on December 5 last year. The Ministry of Education said it plans to faithfully implement the measures in cooperation with related ministries and city and provincial offices of education.

Vice Minister of Education Oh Seok-hwan said, “Early intervention by schools, families, and experts is most important for students’ mental health,” and added, “We will focus our capabilities to help our children maintain bright and healthy minds.”