[Live Backwards] "365 Days 24 Hours Youth Crisis Counseling... You Are Never Alone" [Interview]

⑤Dadeureojulgae Counselor Team Leader Jeon Youngsuk
Over 50,000 Cases Annually, Surging During New Semester
Excessive Competition Swallows Children

Jeon Young-sook, team leader of the youth counseling system ‘Dadeureojulgae,’ stated on the 26th, “Crisis counseling is conducted 24/7 through chat. It can be likened to a hospital emergency room,” adding, “Specialized counselors are intensively deployed during the early morning hours.”

[Live Backwards] "365 Days 24 Hours Youth Crisis Counseling... You Are Never Alone" [Interview]

Team Leader Jeon Young-sook of the Youth Counseling System 'Dadeureojulgae'.
[Photo by Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation]

In an interview with Asia Economy, Team Leader Jeon introduced, “Dadeureojulgae consists of about 120 members, including 6 senior counselors, 25 home-based counselors, and around 90 volunteers. They basically have studied in fields such as psychiatry, youth studies, education, psychology, and social welfare, and hold counseling certifications.” Dadeureojulgae provides real-time text counseling through an application (app) and Kakao Plus Friends, and is operated by the Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation.

Team Leader Jeon is a veteran counselor who has been active since 2006. He said, “Meeting children in the field and giving lectures has allowed me to see and feel many things directly and indirectly. I believe it is valuable to give friends dreams, hope, and small changes, and I have been working with that belief until now.” He added, “Although many people are making multifaceted efforts, the youth suicide rate continues to rise. This means that existing counseling systems have not achieved significant effects. That is why I joined Dadeureojulgae, which is based on social networking services (SNS).”

Dadeureojulgae handles over 50,000 counseling cases annually. Team Leader Jeon said, “From 2018 to March this year, the cumulative number of counseling cases has exceeded 325,000. Currently, there are about 4,500 cases per month on average, and 150 to 200 contacts per day. By day of the week, weekends see the most cases, and by time, the peak is from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.”

In particular, counseling surges during March-April and September-October, when the new school semester begins. Team Leader Jeon explained, “It is called the new semester syndrome, where children are exposed to new environments and experience increased anxiety about friendships and academics.” He added, “Last month alone, there were 17 crisis reports, and by mid-this month, it has exceeded 20.” The issues youth complain about most are interpersonal relationships, family conflicts, and academics/career in that order. Team Leader Jeon said, “Interpersonal relationships are divided into same-sex friends, opposite-sex friends, parents, teachers, and students.” He continued, “During midterm and final exams, many students come in after studying until dawn due to academic stress. Counseling during this time is different from daytime and is conducted more deeply.”

Dadeureojulgae classifies counseling cases into three risk levels: caution, reservation, and emergency. Team Leader Jeon explained, “There are over 500 self-harm and suicide counseling cases per month. Generally, many friends find stability through emotional counseling.” He added, “Emergency cases do not automatically lead to reports. One counselor conducts focused counseling while another monitors and assesses the situation.” He further explained, “After a report, follow-up management is conducted three times over a month. This includes checking the client’s status, coordinating with local police, and sending check-in messages.” He emphasized, “When we tell children to come to Dadeureojulgae anytime they feel troubled, many express gratitude and return to gain strength.”

Team Leader Jeon Young-sook of the Youth Counseling System 'Dadeureojulgae'.
[Photo by Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation]

The biggest reason people seek Dadeureojulgae is ‘anonymity.’ Team Leader Jeon said, “There is a counseling system at school, but parents fear how others will see it, and children do not want to go and hide it.” He added, “Counseling topics vary, including ‘I feel anxious,’ ‘I feel like I’m going to die,’ ‘Please call 112 or 119,’ and ‘I want psychiatric treatment, but my parents don’t want it.’” He continued, “When emotional and behavioral characteristic tests are conducted at school, parents should first look at the priorities before the results. They need to ask and understand what their child is truly worried about.”

Team Leader Jeon pointed to social culture as a cause of the increase in youth suicide rates. He said, “Our society is excessively obsessed with being ahead of others, running fast, and competing. This adult mentality is engulfing children as well.” He added, “It seems there is no time to listen to the inner voice. This makes children sick and causes them to ignore what is important in life. Negative emotions accumulate and are bound to explode someday.”

Team Leader Jeon said, “It takes courage for children to come directly to Dadeureojulgae, and I am truly grateful and relieved. I understand their struggle to endure and their feelings.” He continued, “I couldn’t solve all problems, but I will do everything I can to help. I hope friends will trust and join together.”

He emphasized, “You are perfectly fine just as you are now. Please remember that you are never alone, that no one is worthless, and that you are a precious, one-of-a-kind existence in this world.”

※If you have difficult-to-talk-about 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.