Record-High 221 Elementary, Middle, and High School Students Died by Suicide Last Year

Nearly 18,000 Students Classified as High-Risk for Suicide

Last year, a record-high 221 elementary, middle, and high school students made "extreme choices," referring to suicide. Nearly 18,000 students were classified as being in the so-called "high-risk group" for suicide.

According to the Ministry of Education on June 24, the results of last year's Student Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Survey showed that 221 elementary, middle, and high school students died by suicide, an increase of 7 compared to the previous year (214). This is the highest number since the survey began in 2012.

The suicide rate, which represents the number of suicides per 100,000 students, also rose to 4.3, up from 4.11 the previous year, continuing an upward trend. Compared to 10 years ago, in 2015, when there were 93 suicides and a suicide rate of 1.53, the situation has significantly worsened.

The total number of students in the suicide high-risk group across all elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide was 17,667. This accounts for 1.1% of the 1,658,715 students surveyed. By school level, middle school students made up the largest share at 9,753, while high school students numbered 7,880. There were 18 students in special schools and 16 elementary school students in this group.

Among students in the suicide high-risk group, 2,417, or 13.7%, did not receive treatment through referral to specialized institutions. The "at-risk group," which includes students with emotional or behavioral developmental issues who need counseling (including the suicide high-risk group), totaled 72,300, accounting for 4.4% of all students surveyed.

The Student Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics Survey, overseen by the Ministry of Education, is designed to detect mental health issues among students at an early stage. The target group includes first and fourth graders in elementary school, first-year students in middle school, and first-year students in high school nationwide.