[Cheongchun Report] MZ Searching for 'Depression' Instead of 'Luxury Unboxing'

Depression Patients in Their 20s Increase by 127% Compared to 5 Years Ago
Psychiatric Barriers Lowered Compared to the Past

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Recently, more young people suffering from depression and other issues have been voluntarily seeking psychiatric clinics or psychological counseling centers. In the past, there was a strong social stigma against seeking treatment for mental illnesses such as depression, but recently, as the importance of mental health has emerged, psychological barriers seem to have lowered compared to before.

Increase in Depression Patients in Their 20s... Should Not Be Left Untreated for Long

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The number of depression patients among the MZ generation continues to rise steadily. What is commonly called depression, or 'major depressive disorder,' is characterized mainly by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. In particular, if depression is left untreated for a long time, it can lead to extreme choices.

According to the "2017?2021 Depression and Anxiety Disorder Treatment Statistical Analysis Results" released last year by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of depression patients in 2021 was 933,481, a 35.1% increase compared to 691,164 in 2017, five years earlier. During the same period, the number of anxiety disorder patients also increased by 32.3%, from 653,694 to 865,108.

The increase in depression patients is related to the rise in patients in their 20s. In 2021, the number of depression patients in their 20s surged by 127.1% compared to 2017. Accordingly, the proportion of patients in their 20s among all depression patients also increased significantly. In 2017, patients in their 60s accounted for the largest share at 18.7% of all depression patients. However, in 2021, patients in their 20s accounted for 19% of all patients, surpassing those in their 60s.

This appears to be related to the increase in young people experiencing mental distress due to worsening employment difficulties and economic hardships. A somewhat positive sign in the statistics is that more people are seeking medical help instead of suffering alone when feeling depressed or anxious.

YouTubers Confessing Depression and Specialists Appearing in Mass Media

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Originally, our society tended to view depression not as a treatable illness but as a personal character flaw. Also, some people with depressive symptoms avoided seeking medical help for fear of institutional disadvantages in employment or job changes. As a result, in the past, many depression patients concealed their condition and were reluctant to receive professional treatment.

However, recently, as content dealing with mental health has increased on YouTube and mass media, more people have been openly sharing their symptoms. Kim Minju (26), who has been visiting a hospital for six months due to depression, said, "I developed depression because of stress caused by my workplace superior. I tried not to tell my parents because I was worried they would be concerned, but the topic naturally came up when I talked about quitting my job." She added, "My parents encouraged me by saying, 'You'll get better soon if you take medicine,' which gave me strength."

YouTubers also confess to depression or anxiety disorders and communicate with their viewers. They explain their symptoms, current situations, and treatment processes in detail, receiving empathy and comfort from viewers. This is different from typical YouTube content that mainly shows happiness through 'luxury hauls' or 'unboxing' videos.

One depression vlog video received comments such as "I sincerely support you," "It's not easy to stay strong, but please remember that many people are cheering for you," and "It must not be easy to share your inner feelings, thank you for telling us." Some viewers also shared their stories with the YouTuber. One netizen said, "It seems like you are going through a difficult 20s similar to mine. I also went to the hospital and took medication. By consciously trying to get better, I gradually improved. Stay strong," offering encouragement.

Mental health content continues in mass media as well. Examples include "Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center" and "My Golden Child," featuring psychiatrist Oh Eun-young. Recently, psychiatrist brothers Yang Jae-jin and Yang Jae-woong appeared on SBS's "Master in the House."

However, there are still many hidden depression patients, and there are calls to improve accessibility to mental illness treatment. In response, some local governments are implementing the "Youth Mental Health Voucher Support Project" for young people experiencing depressive feelings. The project aims to support youth emotions, improve quality of life, and prevent psychological problems.

※ If you have difficult-to-express worries such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1393, Mental Health Counseling Hotline 1577-0199, Lifeline 1588-9191, Youth Hotline 1388, Youth Mobile Counseling app 'Da Deureojul Gae,' KakaoTalk, and other channels.