7 out of 10 Mental Patients "Think Alone When at Suicide Risk"
More Than Half of Families Also Experience Violence from Patients
Ministry of Health and Welfare "Continuously Strengthening Mental Emergency Response System"
It was confirmed that one in five family members caring for individuals with mental illness have considered suicide.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 22nd that it conducted the first-ever "Survey to Expand Support Services for People with Mental Illness and Their Families."
This survey was conducted over approximately eight months from September last year to April this year to understand the situations and needs of people with mental illness and their families and to identify necessary services. A total of 1,078 individuals with mental illness living in the community and 995 of their family members participated in the survey.
According to the survey, people with mental illness were found to have inadequate management of not only their mental health but also their physical health, and were exposed to discrimination and violence. Their awareness of physical health and experience with chronic diseases showed that their health status was more vulnerable compared to the general population.
In particular, when at risk of suicide, 77.1% tended to think alone rather than seeking help from those around them, followed by 20.6% who sought help from professional institutions and 19.3% who asked their family for help.
Additionally, 69.6% of the respondents with mental illness believed they could live in the community, but 60.1% experienced discrimination, and 39.1% suffered harassment or violence from family members or people around them.
Families of people with mental illness also faced significant difficulties. Among respondents, 61.7% said the burden of caring for the patient was heavy, and 57.5% had experienced violence from the patient. Furthermore, 20.5% of respondents had considered suicide in the past year, with the main cause identified as the burden of raising, nursing, and caring for the person with mental illness.
Meanwhile, services with high demand among people with mental illness and their families were also identified. For mental health and disability support services, they preferred using mental health welfare centers, while for physical health support services, they favored treatment cost support and regular health check-ups.
Regarding employment support services, there was a high demand for workplace accommodations, information provision, and job placement assistance. For independent living support services, respondents hoped for assistance in applying for basic living security benefits or disability allowances.
Lee Hyung-hoon, Director of Mental Health Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "Based on the results of this survey, we will continue to strengthen the mental emergency response system, including operating crisis intervention teams for prompt assistance to families and people with mental illness. Starting next year, we will also begin housing support services to aid the community independence of people with mental illness, striving to improve their lives and environments."
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