Back

South Korea

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

  1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
    • Phone Number: 1393 (Korea Suicide Prevention Center Helpline)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides crisis support, suicide prevention counseling, and mental health assistance. (spckorea.or.kr)
  2. Mental Health Helpline:
    • Phone Number: 1577 0199 (Mental Health Centre Crisis Helpline – National Centre for Mental Health)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Offers mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals for psychiatric care. (nmhc.or.kr)
  3. Emergency Line:
    • Phone Number: 119 (Medical Emergency) / 112 (Police)
    • Notes: National emergency numbers for urgent psychiatric and medical crises.
  4. Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Support:
    • Phone Number: 1366 (Korean Women’s Hotline – GBV and Trauma Support)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides crisis intervention, psychological support, legal aid, and shelter for survivors of domestic violence. (hotline.or.kr)
  5. Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Support:
    • Phone Number: 1388 (Youth Crisis Support – Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute)
    • Hours of Operation: 24/7
    • Additional Details: Provides psychological support, crisis intervention, and educational counseling for adolescents. (kyci.or.kr)
Suicide Prevention in South Korea

Epidemiology of Suicide

Overall Statistics

  • Current Suicide Rate (per 100,000 people): 26.9 (2021 data). (OECD.org)
  • Trend Analysis:
    • Last 5 Years: South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates among developed nations, with steady increases among elderly individuals and young adults.

Demographic-Specific Insights

  1. By Gender:
    • Male Suicide Rate: Higher than female suicide rates, with economic stress and work-related pressures being major contributing factors.
    • Female Suicide Rate: Lower, but suicide attempts are reported more frequently among women, often linked to social pressure and mental health challenges.
  2. By Age Groups:
    • Adolescents (10–24): Rising suicide rates due to academic stress, cyberbullying, and high expectations from society.
    • Elderly (60+): The highest suicide rate among all age groups, largely due to social isolation and financial insecurity.
  3. Urban vs. Rural:
    • Suicide rates are slightly higher in rural areas due to economic instability and lack of access to mental health services.
  4. Special Groups:
    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Increased suicide risk due to stigma and limited legal protections.
    • Elderly Living Alone: Higher suicide rates due to loneliness and lack of social support.
    • Overworked Employees (“Karoshi”): Work-related stress and burnout contribute significantly to suicide rates among South Korean professionals.

Suicide Prevention Innovations

National Strategies and Policies

  • Overview: South Korea has implemented a National Suicide Prevention Policy that focuses on mental health support, restricting access to means of suicide, and increasing crisis intervention services.
  • Key Elements:
    • Strengthening suicide prevention infrastructure in communities.
    • Expanding mental health screening programs in workplaces and schools.
    • Launching national campaigns to combat mental health stigma and promote awareness.

Specific Initiatives and Campaigns

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns:
    • Example: “Let’s Talk About Suicide” – A campaign encouraging open discussions about mental health and breaking the stigma surrounding suicide.
  2. Programs Targeting High-Risk Groups:
    • Elderly Suicide Prevention Programs: Community-based initiatives focused on social support and financial assistance.
    • Mental Health Screening in Schools: Suicide prevention programs integrated into the education system.
  3. Collaborative Efforts:
    • South Korea partners with WHO, mental health organizations, and digital health companies to advance suicide prevention strategies.

Innovative Tools and Approaches

  • Digital Tools:
    • AI-driven suicide prevention tools analyzing social media posts for early warning signs.
    • Mobile apps providing mental health resources and real-time crisis intervention.
  • Community-Based Interventions:
    • Suicide prevention training for school teachers, workplace managers, and community leaders.
    • Peer-support networks offering mentorship and crisis response.

Additional Insights

  • Cultural Considerations:
    • South Korea has a high-pressure culture, where academic and professional success is strongly emphasized, leading to significant mental health challenges.
    • Family expectations and stigma around mental illness contribute to a reluctance to seek professional help.
  • Research and Data Gaps:
    • Limited long-term studies on suicide risk factors among marginalized groups, such as LGBTQIA+ individuals.
    • Need for more research into the impact of digital mental health solutions on suicide prevention.
  • Positive Developments:
    • Increased government investment in mental health infrastructure.
    • Growth of digital health platforms providing remote mental health services.

References

  1. South Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.mohw.go.kr/
  2. OECD. (2021). South Korea – Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000 Population). Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/
  3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in South Korea. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
  4. Korea Suicide Prevention Center. (n.d.). Crisis Helpline and Suicide Prevention Services in South Korea. Retrieved from https://www.spckorea.or.kr/
  5. Korean Women’s Hotline. (n.d.). Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health Support in South Korea. Retrieved from https://www.hotline.or.kr/
  6. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). (n.d.). Mental Health Policies and Suicide Prevention in East Asia. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/
  7. UNICEF South Korea. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programs in South Korea. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.or.kr/