The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that the number of consultations at the loneliness prevention call center "Loneliness Goodbye 120" reached 3,088 as of the 8th. The center began operations in April and surpassed this year's goal of 3,000 consultations in just a month and a half.
Loneliness Goodbye 120 is a specialized call center that provides counseling to Seoul citizens who feel loneliness and isolation. By calling the Dasan Call Center and pressing 5 according to the voice guide, one can connect to a counselor. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, out of all consultations, conversations about loneliness accounted for 1,394 cases (45.1%), making it the most common. Following this were information consultations regarding loneliness and isolation, welfare services, etc. (1,337 cases, 43.3%).
By age group, middle-aged individuals comprised 59% of the users. They were followed by young adults (32%), seniors (8%), and adolescents (1%).
All age groups requested various consultations. Adolescents reported difficulties in friendships, while some young adults expressed anxiety about their future due to job search struggles. Additionally, depressed middle-aged individuals sought advice due to family breakdowns and business failures, and seniors who were facing difficult living conditions also requested consultations.
Lee Soo-jin, head of the Seoul Isolation Prevention Center, said, "We will do our best to supplement the necessary parts to ensure a higher quality of service can be provided until the end of the pilot operation period in June."