[Report] "Are You Having a Hard Time Right Now?" Young Life Guardians [MZ Mindfulness]

④ Reporting, Listening, and Speaking Education Site
Importance of Observing Suicide Risk Signals
Available for Online and Offline Enrollment

"Originally, I thought directly asking if someone is considering suicide would have a negative impact, but I newly learned that this is not the case."

Kang Hyun-yi (21), whom we met at the Report-Listen-Speak training held on the 8th at the Nokyang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, said, "I didn't know how to help someone who is thinking about suicide, but I learned specifically," and added, "I felt that even a very small word or action can be the strength for someone to live again."

Reporting, Listening, and Speaking training is being conducted at the Nokyang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Im Chunhan]

Report-Listen-Speak is a Life Keeper training program. A Life Keeper is a person who recognizes signals from those at risk of suicide, maintains continuous interest, and connects them to institutions or experts who can provide appropriate help. It is conducted both online and offline, and anyone can apply and take the course. Bae Min-young (20) said, "It was shocking to learn that 35.4 people die by suicide every day, which is 1.5 people every hour. I was surprised that so many people are taking their own lives," and added, "I thought I should listen carefully to the voices of those around me and be sensitive. From now on, if I see signs hinting at suicide, I will ask about suicidal thoughts and actively listen to the reasons."

Although 94% of people at risk of suicide send warning signals, only 23% are noticed by those around them. Verbal signals sent by those at risk include mentioning suicide or death, complaining of physical discomfort, making self-deprecating remarks, and writing about death in letters, notes, or social networking services (SNS). Behavioral signals include aggressive or impulsive actions, changes related to depression, organizing life, or preparing for suicide. Situational signals include mental health problems, depression, sleep disorders, financial difficulties, job stress, and family issues.

However, most people tend to treat suicide risk signals as mere complaints or grumbling, as if they are nothing serious. Ultimately, the most basic solution to reduce youth suicide rates starts with recognizing warning signals. A welfare center official emphasized, "We discover high-risk groups through suicide intervention skills training for citizens and connect them to professional services," and added, "I hope the Life Keeper training will help lower the suicide rate."

Reporting, Listening, and Speaking training is being conducted at the Nokyang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Photo by Im Chunhan]

The training consists of 'Seeing,' which involves observing verbal, behavioral, and situational signals of those at risk of suicide; 'Listening,' which involves asking about suicidal thoughts and actively listening to the reasons; and 'Speaking,' which involves helping them receive expert assistance. The on-site lecture was conducted in a format where the lecturer and participants watched video cases and exchanged questions and answers.

When the instructor asked, "What if you directly ask about suicide?" one young person said, "I think my friend would close their heart." The instructor then explained that when a suicide warning signal is detected, asking about suicidal thoughts can actually provide comfort, and it is necessary to acknowledge and empathize by saying things like, "You must have been really struggling," "I'm sorry I didn't notice until now," and "You've endured well despite the hardship, that's amazing, where did that strength come from?"

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