Suicide Deaths Increase for 2 Consecutive Years... Government Strengthens Support for Bereaved Families and High-Risk Groups

Ministry of Health and Welfare Holds Meeting with 17 Provincial and Municipal Governments
to Discuss Suicide Prevention Projects and the Nationwide Mind Investment Support Project

As the number of suicide deaths in our country continues to rise, the government is strengthening support for high-risk groups such as local governments, suicide attempters, and suicide bereaved families.

On the 11th, Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, held the 'Suicide Prevention Project and Nationwide Mental Health Investment Support Project Meeting' with deputy heads of 17 cities and provinces nationwide and mental health officials in attendance.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister, held a meeting with deputy heads of 17 provincial and municipal governments nationwide and mental health officials regarding suicide prevention projects and the nationwide Mind Investment Support Project.

At the meeting, the Ministry of Health and Welfare once again guided local governments on the concentrated support plan for high-risk suicide groups prepared last December and encouraged the activation of the nationwide Mind Investment Support Project. According to the Ministry, the number of suicide deaths in Korea from January to November last year was 13,271, which is expected to be higher on an annual basis than 12,906 in 2022 and 13,978 in 2023.

According to the Suicide Survey (2013) and the Psychological Autopsy Report (2022), the suicide rate of suicide attempters is about 25 times higher than that of the general population, and the suicidal ideation rate of suicide bereaved families is about 10 times higher than that of the general population.

Accordingly, the government and local governments will strengthen case management services for suicide attempters, while also regularly checking and managing those who refuse services or have lost contact. They will also expand the coverage of treatment cost support for young suicide attempters. Additionally, the one-stop support service for suicide bereaved families, which provides temporary housing, cleaning, administrative and legal assistance, will expand its service areas from 9 provinces and cities last year to 12 this year.

Since July last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been implementing the nationwide Mind Investment Support Project, which provides professional psychological counseling services to those experiencing depression, anxiety, and other issues. As of early this month, 1,291 service providers have delivered 241,524 counseling sessions. Starting this year, if applicants wish to change their service type (Level 1 or Level 2) after applying, they can visit their local public health center to request the change. The ministry is also promoting the project by easing the standards for service provision spaces through related ordinance revisions.

Vice Minister Park said, "We will continue efforts with local governments to create a society safe from suicide and a society where the mental health of the people is well maintained."