Solidarity Against Social Withdrawal in Young People: ‘Beyond the Doorstep’ Project
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At the introductory meeting for the ‘Beyond the Doorstep’ project held at our University, awareness was raised against the social withdrawal syndrome in young people, and the importance of the fight against addiction and social solidarity was emphasized.
An introductory meeting was held for the ‘Beyond the Doorstep’ project, hosted by our University, in cooperation with the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services and our University. Maltepe District Governor Mr. Bahri Tiryaki, Family and Social Services Provincial Director Mr. Ömer Turan, Family and Social Services Provincial Deputy Director Mr. Halis Kuralay, stakeholders of the project, academicians of our University and students attended the introductory meeting held for the project at the Küçükyalı Campus Conference Hall, aiming to increase the participation of young people in social life and strengthen social health awareness. Dr. İlker Köse, Director of Istanbul Ticaret University Technology Transfer Office, who made the opening speech of the meeting, stated that the University aims to produce solutions to the communication problems of young people and strengthen social solidarity by hosting this project. Dr. Köse also emphasized that the project includes training and support programs for university youth.
FIGHTING ADDICTION AND SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME
Dr. Ayşe Sena Sezgin, a member of the Board of Directors of Green Crescent (Yeşilay), one of the stakeholders of the project, drew attention to the relationship between Hikikomori syndrome (social withdrawal syndrome) and addictions, and emphasized that internet, gaming and gambling addictions alienate young people from social life. Stating that preventive programs are being carried out in cooperation with schools and universities to combat such addictions, Dr. Sezgin stated that the Green Crescent’s work in this field, with its 104 years of experience, is of great importance for public health. Family and Social Services Provincial Director Mr. Ömer Turan said in his speech that inter-institutional cooperation is vital to protect society and family. Mr. Turan stated that young people face risks such as social withdrawal and that foreseeing such risks and taking preventive steps will secure the social future.
HIKIKOMORI SYNDROME AND PROJECT ACTIVITIES
At the meeting, Ms. Emine Üzün Tan, Branch Manager of the European Union (EU) Projects and Foreign Relations Unit of the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, detailed the goals of the ‘Beyond the Doorstep’ project. Ms. Tan stated that Hikikomori Syndrome, which emerged in Japan and spread all over the world, is a serious problem that causes young people to withdraw from social life, and said that awareness studies for this syndrome are being carried out within the scope of the project. Ms. Tan emphasized that the project, supported by international collaborations, contributes to the solution of this problem through trainings for youth workers.
The Resource Kit developed within the scope of the project was also introduced at the meeting. Psychologist Ms. Tuğba Ayyıldız from Beykoz Social Service Center stated that this kit will guide youth workers on social withdrawal syndrome. In the panel held at the end of the program, experts provided information on the causes and solutions of Hikikomori Syndrome. In the panel, Deputy Provincial Director of Family and Social Services Mr. Halis Kuralay, Psychologist Ms. Burcu Kara, Psychologist Mr. Muhammed Öleş and Psychological Counselor Ms. Serap Kılınç Özay presented suggestions for the integration of young people into social life.
