Before You Call | Service Navigation Guide

109 is a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline. Both the person in crisis and someone nearby can call. The counselor speaks first and checks the current situation: whether you are alone, and whether there is immediate danger. You do not need to have everything organized before calling.

If the counselor assesses high risk, they can — with consent — refer to a local mental health center or suicide prevention center for ongoing support and case management. In urgent danger, emergency dispatch can be requested. Wait times may occur, so if the call does not connect immediately, stay on hold or switch to 119. There is no cost.

Community mental health centers exist in every district nationwide. On the first call, say you want counseling. Staff will conduct a brief intake (current difficulties, any prior counseling) and schedule an in-person session. No diagnosis or referral letter is needed. Some centers can provide initial support by phone alone.

In-person sessions typically begin within one to two weeks. The service is free. Counseling records are not shared with your employer or school. Depending on needs, ongoing case management, medical referrals, or rehabilitation programs may follow. The counseling voucher program (8 sessions, no income limit, referral form needed) and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP, 7 sessions for workers) are also available separately.

1366 is a 24/7 women's emergency hotline. The counselor will ask about your current situation: the type and frequency of violence, your relationship to the abuser, and whether there is immediate danger. Whether to file a report is your decision — you can receive counseling first and decide about reporting later. If your devices are being monitored, use a trusted person's phone or a public phone.

After assessing danger level, the counselor can arrange police dispatch, emergency shelter, medical connection, or legal consultation as needed. All of this can begin from a single call. Evidence can be organized later, but if you visit a hospital, asking staff to record the cause of injury in your medical records is helpful. There is no cost.

1388 is a youth-focused hotline, but parents and guardians can also call. Describe the situation — "my child says they are self-harming," "I think they are being bullied" — and the counselor will assess the current risk level and help organize next steps.

Depending on the situation, the counselor may arrange in-person sessions at a youth counseling center, medical referrals, guidance on school involvement, or shelter connection. You do not need to have all the answers — sorting out what to do and in what order is what 1388 does. Available by phone and KakaoTalk chat. No cost.

Community mental health centers are free, can be accessed with a single phone call, and do not notify your employer. In-person sessions typically start within one to two weeks. The counseling voucher program covers 8 professional sessions regardless of income or age, but requires a referral form — available from mental health centers or public health offices. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offer 7 free sessions per year for workers, and counseling content is not shared with the employer.

Because EAP is provided through the employer, whether your usage itself remains confidential may vary by company policy. If confidentiality is a concern, mental health centers or vouchers are a safer choice. If the line between burnout and depression is unclear, counseling can help distinguish — connecting first is better than waiting.

The Korea Center on Gambling Problems (1336) is a specialized gambling counseling service. Family members can call first — the gambler's consent or participation is not required to start. Say: "A family member has a gambling problem, debt keeps recurring, and I want counseling on what to do."

The counselor will assess the current situation — gambling type, debt level, conflict severity, and safety concerns — and review the family's response patterns. This includes examining whether paying off debts may be sustaining the cycle, but also considers shared finances and safety, so guidance is situation-specific rather than one-size-fits-all. If there is violence or a safety threat, 112 or 1366 should be contacted as well. There is no cost.

When you call the Danuri Call Center (1577-1366), an automated system or counselor will first check your preferred language. If a counselor who speaks that language is available, you are connected directly; otherwise, an interpreter is arranged. The Foreign Workers Counseling Center (1644-0644) specializes in migrant labor issues. Interpreter support is also available when calling 119.

Emergency services (119, 112) are legally provided regardless of visa status. However, post-emergency procedures (police interviews, hospital administration) may involve residency-related questions, so seeking legal consultation through migrant-specialized services after the situation stabilizes is recommended. Marriage migrants experiencing domestic violence may have legal protections related to residency — confirm through legal consultation.

When you call the Elder Protection Agency (1577-1389), staff will confirm the details of the report: the suspected situation, the person's condition, and whether it is recurring. Anonymous reporting is available, and anyone can report — not just family members but also neighbors, building managers, or delivery workers. After the report, a specialized counselor conducts an on-site assessment to meet with the older person directly.

After the assessment, the person's wishes are confirmed, and appropriate services are arranged: daily care, medical referrals, or protective placement as needed. Forced separation without consent is limited to situations involving immediate danger to life. If the concern is isolation rather than abuse, the Health and Welfare Call Center (129) can connect to care services such as regular visits, welfare calls, meal delivery, and emergency safety devices.