"We Must Work Together for Trauma Recovery and Healing"
Mental health experts emphasized that "a history of depression treatment does not imply violence associated with depression" in relation to the Daejeon elementary school murder case, stressing that prejudice against depression should not be promoted.
On the 13th, visitors continued to pay their respects at the joint memorial altar set up at an elementary school in Seo-gu, Daejeon, for the late Kim Ha-neul. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 14th, the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, the Korean Nurses Association Mental Health Nursing Society, the Korean Psychological Association, the Korean Mental Health Nursing Society, the Korean Association of Social Workers in Mental Health, and the Korean Trauma Stress Society jointly stated, "This incident should not inadvertently promote prejudice against depression and hinder prejudice-free treatment of mental illnesses."
These organizations said, "What is especially important regarding this tragedy is to comfort the victims, bereaved families, witnesses, the school community to which the affected children belong, and the hearts of many citizens, and to heal and recover from trauma," adding, "Rather than socially stigmatizing mental illness, we must work together on efforts for trauma recovery and healing."
They continued, "The bereaved families and citizens facing this horrific incident may experience various mourning and trauma responses such as sadness, anger, helplessness, guilt, sleep problems, and physical symptoms," advising, "We recommend sharing grief and pain with family, relatives, and friends. If the pain is severe and daily life is difficult, please seek help from mental health professionals immediately."
The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association also raised its voice, stating that the willingness to seek treatment for mental illness may be weakened due to this incident, and that medical history should not be used as an issue. The association released a statement the day before, saying, "Whether or not one has received psychiatric treatment cannot be used to evaluate an individual's mental health issues," explaining, "The history of treatment itself does not reflect severity. It simply means that the person chose the process of health recovery through active management and treatment."
They added, "Murder is influenced by the perpetrator's personality and morality, but blaming brutal acts on mental illness would be an insult to patients who endure difficulties due to mental health problems and live steadfastly."
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