Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital Receives Minister of Health and Welfare Award for Suicide Prevention Efforts

Operating the Life-Love Crisis Response Center for 11 Years

The Life Love Crisis Response Center at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare for its contribution to regional suicide prevention at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Day ceremony.

Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital announced on the 12th that its Life Love Crisis Response Center received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare at the '2024 Suicide Prevention Day Ceremony' in recognition of its contribution to regional suicide prevention.

The Life Love Crisis Response Center at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital has been operating an emergency room-based post-management program for suicide attempters for 11 consecutive years since 2013. Since 2022, it has been running a 24-hour management system, with a team of six including a psychiatrist, an emergency medicine specialist, and case managers providing medical support such as emotional counseling, community linkage, and treatment cost assistance.

Last year, 613 suicide attempters visited the emergency room at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, and 539 of them (87.9%) regained emotional stability through short-term case management (four sessions) provided by the center.

Additionally, 255 of the short-term case management recipients (50.4%) were also connected to community organizations (such as mental health welfare centers), resulting in higher treatment entry rates and lower suicide reattempt rates.

Shim Sehun, head of the center, said, "Through active intervention and case management, we are increasing the consent and linkage rates of suicide attempters every year," and added, "We will continue to do our best to help suicide attempters recover emotionally and achieve stability, and to foster a culture of suicide prevention and respect for life."