“Corona Blues” refers to the feelings of depression and helplessness that build up from social distancing, restricted activity, and anxiety about an uncertain future brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The term combines “Corona” with “Blue,” the color associated with sadness and low mood. If you are a refugee or migrant, an unfamiliar environment and an unstable residency situation can make things feel even harder. Below are questions that many people have actually asked, along with answers to each one.
Health Insurance and Medical Costs
Is treatment for Corona Blues covered by the National Health Insurance?
Yes, please do not worry. If you visit a psychiatry or neuropsychiatry clinic for depression or anxiety caused by Corona Blues and receive treatment, National Health Insurance applies. Once a doctor makes a diagnosis and draws up a treatment plan, both counseling therapy (psychotherapy) and medication are covered by health insurance.
- Free counseling at a Community Mental Health Welfare Center: Each local area has a Community Mental Health Welfare Center where you can receive free counseling if you simply want to talk to someone. Feel free to reach out regardless of your resident registration status or visa status.
- Mental Health Psychological Counseling Voucher: From January 1 to December 31, 2026 (may close early if the budget runs out), the government provides up to 8 sessions of professional psychological counseling (50 minutes per session) for people experiencing emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety. You can apply by visiting your local Administrative Welfare Center (neighborhood community office) or online at Bokjiro (www.bokjiro.go.kr) (online applications are available only for individuals aged 19 or older applying in their own name). For full details, please see the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s official 2026 voucher program announcement.
If you would like to learn more about the specific symptoms of anxiety disorder or depression, please refer to Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Treatment, and Mental Health Counseling Guide for Foreign Nationals.
Your health insurance enrollment status and out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on your individual circumstances. Before applying, please confirm the latest information with 1345 (Immigration Contact Center; multilingual support available) or your local Korea Immigration Service office.
Children’s Mental Health
How can I help my child who is feeling down from staying at home all the time?
Children feel Corona Blues just as much as adults do. When they cannot see friends, cannot go to school, and outdoor activities are limited, feelings of frustration and loneliness build up. The following approaches can help.
- Create a regular daily routine: Keeping wake-up times, meals, study and play periods, and bedtime consistent makes a big difference to a child’s emotional stability.
- Include time for physical movement: Try stretching, dancing, or simple exercises together even inside the home. Physical activity releases hormones that improve mood.
- Manage screen time: Excessive time spent on smartphones or watching TV can negatively affect sleep and emotional wellbeing. Aim to limit it to one to two hours a day, and enjoy other activities together instead, such as drawing, reading, or cooking.
- Encourage children to express their feelings in words: Ask “How are you feeling today?” every day and listen to what your child says without judgment. Children find stability in feeling that their emotions are understood.
- Help children stay connected with friends online: Support them in maintaining social contact with friends through video calls or online play.
- Take care of your own mental health first: Children are sensitive to their parents’ emotional state. The best environment you can create for your child begins with looking after your own wellbeing.
If sleep problems are also present, it may also be helpful to read Causes and Prevention of Sleep Disorders, Self-Assessment, and Hospital Guide.
Suicidal Thoughts and Crisis Situations
What should I do if I am having thoughts of suicide?
If you are having these thoughts right now, please remember this above all else: Having such thoughts does not mean you are weak. It is the result of intense pain that has built up over time. You do not have to endure it alone.
Places you can contact immediately:
| Organization | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline | 109 | 24 hours |
| Mental Health Crisis Counseling Hotline | 1577-0199 | 24 hours |
| Health and Welfare Counseling Center | 129 | 24 hours |
| Emergency | 119 / 112 | 24 hours |
Can suicidal thoughts be treated medically?
Yes, they can. Suicidal thoughts are in many cases connected to treatable mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety disorder. Through consultation with a specialist, combining medication (such as antidepressants) with psychological therapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy) can bring about significant improvement in symptoms. Please find the courage to reach out to a hospital or counseling center.
How can depression that leads to suicidal thoughts be overcome?
Depression is an illness that is very difficult to overcome through willpower or attitude alone. Please refer to the following steps.
- Seek help from a professional: Visit a psychiatry clinic or use the free counseling available at a Community Mental Health Welfare Center.
- Stay consistent with treatment: Medication and counseling therapy may not show results immediately. It is important not to stop and to continue treatment steadily.
- Talk to people around you: Share how you are doing with trusted family members, friends, a religious community, or a community of people from your home country, and ask for their support.
- Reduce time spent alone: When you are feeling depressed, being alone in your room can cause your thoughts to spiral further. Try to gradually increase the time you spend with other people.
- Set small goals: You can start with very small goals, such as a ten-minute walk each day or drinking a glass of water.
Where to Get Help
- Migration for Asia Peace (MAP): Provides mental health support and news services for refugees and migrants.
- Mental Health Crisis Counseling Hotline: 1577-0199 (24 hours)
- Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline: 109 (24 hours; consolidated from January 2024)
- Madlan SNS Counseling for Suicide Prevention: www.129.go.kr/etc/madlan (for when calling is difficult)
- Health and Welfare Counseling Center: 129 (24 hours)
- Immigration Contact Center: 1345 (multilingual support available)
- Find a Community Mental Health Welfare Center: National Center for Mental Health website
- Apply for the Mental Health Psychological Counseling Voucher (Bokjiro): www.bokjiro.go.kr
- Ministry of Health and Welfare official 2026 voucher program announcement: mohw.go.kr voucher guidelines page
Figures, deadlines, and the scope of insurance coverage can change at any time. Before applying, please be sure to confirm the latest information with 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office.