'Mental Health Threatened by "Corona Blue"... Must Respond with Healthcare'

On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, the 30th, medical staff are busy working at the COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Mapo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] The number of psychological counseling cases related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has exceeded 500,000. There are calls for systematic management of 'Corona Blue,' which refers to the depression caused by COVID-19.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Baek Jong-heon, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, the integrated psychological support team for COVID-19 recorded 510,120 counseling cases.

Among these, counseling cases related to confirmed COVID-19 patients accounted for only 19,846 cases, or 3.89% of the total. Counseling for families of confirmed patients was 2,185 cases, or 0.42%.

Those in quarantine due to COVID-19 accounted for 382,150 cases (74.91%), and the general public accounted for 105,939 cases (20.76%), indicating that the general public is more anxious about COVID-19 than confirmed patients.

In particular, among general counseling cases at mental health welfare centers, anxiety disorder counseling cases reached 18,931 in the first half of this year. Representative Baek views the 44.8% increase compared to last year's 13,067 cases in the first half alone as evidence that Corona Blue (depression) has become serious since COVID-19.

On the 29th, one day before the Chuseok holiday, a social distancing notice related to COVID-19 prevention is posted at the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

As the COVID-19 crisis prolongs, there are calls for the insurance industry to support mental health services.

Senior Researcher Park Jeong-hee of the Korea Insurance Research Institute pointed out in the report "The Spread of Corona Blue and the Role of Insurance" that "Although it is difficult to accurately assess actual risks in long-term risk evaluation for insurance products related to mental illnesses, the insurance industry should reflect the current situation as Corona Blue spreads."

In the United States, a household trend survey jointly conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) showed that 34% of respondents experienced depression and anxiety due to COVID-19, with states having higher infection rates showing higher levels of depression and anxiety.

According to a survey in Japan, 52.3% of respondents reported feeling depressed due to COVID-19, significantly exceeding the 20% depression rate before the pandemic. In the UK, 19% of adults and 31% of patients with pre-existing mental illnesses reported feeling depressed.

Global insurers such as Gen Re have stated that awareness of mental health has increased due to the COVID-19 crisis, and the insurance industry needs to offer mental health service-related products or support various services that reflect the current situation.

To this end, digital healthcare, including the development of apps or programs to support mental health, is essential. The insurance industry is advised to manage customers' health by partnering with service providers that help people manage their mental health in a timely manner.

Recently launched in Japan, the small-amount short-term insurance product called 'Corona Support Insurance' allows people in insurance blind spots to receive minimal coverage with low premiums to alleviate fears and depression caused by COVID-19.

Researcher Park emphasized, "Digital healthcare, such as the development of apps or programs to support mental health, is essential," and advised, "The insurance industry needs to manage customers' health by partnering with service providers that help people manage their mental health in a timely manner."