"Impact of Prolonged COVID-19"... Youth 'Extreme Suicide' Counseling Doubles

3292 Cases Reported from March to September This Year
86% Increase in Consultations for Self-Harm and Anger Management
Family Relationship Issues Rise Due to COVID-19

The above photo is not related to the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] #Kim Mo (15), who used to cut her wrist and post photos on her social network service (SNS) account whenever she was stressed. She had to attend online classes and recently often argued with her mother over computer usage issues. Not knowing how to relieve her stress, Kim's self-harm behavior became more frequent.

#Lee Mo, in her early 20s, who lived with her divorced father, ran away from home after hearing her father tell her to "leave the house" during an argument. Feeling abandoned, Lee wandered between PC rooms and friends' houses. When she ran out of allowance, she left a post on her SNS account at 2 a.m. saying, "Near OO Station. I ran away from home. I have nowhere to stay. Please help."

Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), adolescents who have to spend a lot of time at home are experiencing crises due to family relationship problems. This can lead to self-harm, running away from home, or even prostitution, so support is necessary.

Provided by Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute

According to the Korea Youth Counseling & Welfare Institute under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on the 21st, suicide-related consultations at the Youth Cyber Counseling Center from March to September this year totaled 3,292 cases, nearly double compared to the same period last year (1,660 cases). Self-harm consultations numbered 2,176 cases, an increase of 614 from last year’s 1,562 cases. Cases related to depression and withdrawal were 30,983, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety issues 14,983, and impulse and anger control disorders 1,211. The total number of consultations was 47,176, an 85.7% increase from last year. The institute has also been operating 'Cyber Outreach,' where counselors provide online counseling to youth since last month, contributing to the increase in consultation numbers.

In particular, concerns have been raised that adolescents' mental health problems have worsened due to the COVID-19 impact. According to the '1388 Youth Counseling Records (January to August)' submitted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to Jung Chun-sook, chairperson of the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, the main reason for counseling last year was 'interpersonal relationships (13.5%),' while this year 'mental health (14.4%)' was the highest.

※ If you have difficult concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling through suicide prevention hotline ☎1393, mental health counseling ☎1577-0199, Hope Call ☎129, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, and Youth Hotline ☎1388.