[Let's Live Backwards] 140,000 Out-of-School Youth... No Protective Safety Net

④Social Exclusion and Stigma Triple Risk
3 out of 10 Experience Depression and Anxiety
Expansion of 'Kkumdeulim Center'... Criticism of Insufficient Promotion

Despite the recent decline in the adolescent population, about 50,000 youths leave school every year. In particular, the number of students discontinuing their studies due to psychological and mental health issues is rapidly increasing. The suicide risk among 'out-of-school youth' is approximately three times higher than that of students attending school. Although the government provides minimal safety measures through the 'Out-of-School Youth Support Centers' (Kkumdeulim Centers), blind spots remain, highlighting the urgent need for measures to prevent suicide among out-of-school youth.

Out-of-school youth are participating in job experience programs. [Image source=School Out-of-School Youth Support Center Best Practices Collection]

140,000 Out-of-School Youth... 23% Due to 'Psychological and Mental Health Issues'

According to the Ministry of Education on the 25th, the number of youths who chose to discontinue their studies was 52,539 in 2018, 52,261 in 2019, 32,027 in 2020, 42,755 in 2021, and 52,981 in 2022. As of 2022, the numbers were 19,415 for elementary school students, 9,585 for middle school students, and 23,981 for high school students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote classes were conducted, the number of dropouts decreased, but with the resumption of normal school attendance, the figures returned to previous levels.

It is estimated that there are about 146,000 out-of-school youth nationwide, accounting for 2.6% of the school-age population. According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's '2021 Survey on Out-of-School Youth,' the reasons for discontinuing studies were 'school attendance is meaningless' (37.2%), 'to learn what they want elsewhere' (29.6%), and 'psychological and mental health issues' (23%). The proportion of psychological and mental health issues increased from 8.4% in 2015, to 17.8% in 2018, and 23% in 2021.

Even after leaving school, they faced various difficulties. Problems faced by out-of-school youth included prejudice, bias, and neglect (26.1%), difficulty finding a career path (24.2%), lack of motivation (22.5%), conflicts with parents (15.9%), severed relationships with school friends (14.7%), difficulty finding work (14.4%), anxiety about being alone (14.3%), and lack of places to seek help (11.1%).

Numerous studies diagnose that out-of-school youth are currently in a dangerous state. A study conducted in October last year by the Department of Psychiatry and Infectious Disease Clinical Research Center at the National Medical Center analyzed suicide risk factors among 280 out-of-school youths through a survey and variable logistic regression analysis.

According to the study, 80 individuals (28.6%) belonged to the suicide risk group, while 200 individuals (71.4%) belonged to the general group. The suicide risk group showed statistically higher levels of emotional symptoms, peer relationship problems, low family functioning, and low social support compared to the general group. Ultimately, the risk of youth suicide was more influenced by emotional factors arising from interpersonal relationships than by individual mental illnesses. Parental violence and family discord showed significant correlations, and social alienation and stigma were found to increase the risk of suicide attempts.

The 'Mental Health Survey of Teenagers' conducted by the Korea Youth Policy Institute in February 2022 revealed that 3 out of 10 out-of-school youths experienced depression, anxiety, and suicide risk. Specifically, 35% showed mild or higher depressive symptoms, 29% showed mild or higher anxiety symptoms, and 36.8% were exposed to suicide risk. These figures are two to three times higher than those of students attending school.

Among mental health issues of out-of-school youth, females showed higher severity levels than males, and severity increased with age. The research team suggested, "In establishing policies to protect and promote youth mental health, measures for out-of-school youth should be prioritized," and emphasized the need to strengthen systems for identifying and intervening with vulnerable groups. The survey was conducted from July to August 2021, targeting 6,689 individuals, including 5,937 students and 752 out-of-school youths.

Lack of Infrastructure, Funding, and Publicity... "Warm Support is Important"

The government-established Kkumdeulim Centers are designed to support out-of-school youth. Currently, 222 centers operate nationwide. They provide tailored services such as preparation for qualification exams, certification acquisition, and vocational training to help out-of-school youth return to school and enter society. Free health checkups, treatment costs, and meal support are also provided for vulnerable youth. Additionally, after assessing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity, referrals are made to youth counseling welfare centers and youth treatment rehabilitation centers based on the level of crisis.

In reality, Kkumdeulim Centers serve as a stepping stone for new beginnings for out-of-school youth. A student from Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, said, "My mother was overly concerned about my grades since elementary school, and I couldn't meet her standards. My depression worsened to the point where daily life became impossible, leading me to drop out. I found the Kkumdeulim Center through social networking services (SNS) and was able to receive various forms of help."

A student from Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, shared, "My family situation was difficult, and the emotional gap between my parents was deep. I could do nothing but cry every day. When I registered for the qualification exam, I learned about the Kkumdeulim Center. I met friends, received various education, and was able to plan for university admission."

However, considering the overall scale of out-of-school youth, awareness of the Kkumdeulim Centers and policy promotion are evaluated as insufficient. A Kkumdeulim Center official explained, "About 40,000 people use the centers nationwide each year. While it cannot be said that there are no blind spots, there are at least minimal protective measures. Currently, installations are completed by local governments, and publicity efforts are underway to actively identify out-of-school youth."

Professor Lim Myung-ho of Dankook University's Department of Psychology stated, "Infrastructure, funding, and publicity for out-of-school youth are lacking. This is a blind spot caused by the government's low interest. The core is to help children return to school. Otherwise, support similar to that provided in schools should be given to help out-of-school youth enter society, and they should not be stigmatized or discriminated against socially. In short, warm support is important," he emphasized.

※ If you have difficult concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling by calling the suicide prevention hotline ☎109.

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