Breakthrough in Youth Suicide Prevention Through Collaboration of Four Ministries
To address the escalating social issue of youth suicide, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have established a collaborative system and are actively responding. This signifies a crucial step, promising continuous attention and support from the government, rather than a one-time measure. In 2024, youth suicide rates remain high, causing significant social concern. Consequently, the government has decided to combine the expertise of each ministry to focus on supporting at-risk youth.
The core objective of this collaborative system is to leverage the strengths of each ministry to provide multifaceted support for youth suicide prevention. It particularly focuses on strengthening the system for early detection of at-risk youth and facilitating access to counseling and treatment from mental health professionals. Furthermore, efforts will be dedicated to preventing recurrence by establishing a continuous management and support system for adolescents recovering from suicide attempts.
Enhanced Early Detection and Customized Support for Youth at Risk of Suicide
The government plans to strengthen the system for early detection of youth at risk of suicide through various channels, including schools, communities, and families, and to provide them with the necessary customized support. Specific collaborative measures are as follows:
- Ministry of Health and Welfare: Strengthening mental health promotion and counseling support, enhancing the discovery of youth at risk of suicide and linking them to medical institutions (e.g., operating a 24-hour hotline, expanding support for psychiatric treatment costs)
- Ministry of Education: Strengthening suicide prevention education in schools, establishing a counseling and support system for students in crisis (e.g., activating Wee Centers, expanding the deployment of professional counselors)
- Ministry of Gender Equality and Family: Strengthening youth counseling and protection functions, linking to support facilities for youth in crisis (e.g., linking to youth shelters, providing legal support)
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: Providing cultural programs to stabilize youth's mental state and relieve stress (e.g., art therapy programs, support for sports activities)
In particular, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will expand psychological counseling and psychiatric treatment support for youth at risk of suicide, centering on mental health welfare centers, and will strengthen links with psychiatrists to provide professional medical services. The Ministry of Education plans to strengthen the counseling system within schools and expand counseling and support for students in crisis through Wee Centers.
The Key to Youth Suicide Prevention: Interest and Support from the Entire Society
Experts emphasize that not only government efforts but also the interest and effort of the entire society are essential for youth suicide prevention. An atmosphere must be created in which all members of families, schools, and communities understand and support the difficulties of youth, and an environment must be created in which youth can ask for help without hesitation when they experience difficulties. To this end, the government plans to actively promote a youth suicide prevention campaign and establish various social support systems to help youth grow up healthy.
Youth suicide is not just an individual's problem, but a problem for the entire society. Our society must not turn a blind eye to the difficulties faced by young people and must provide them with the support they need. - Kim Hyun-soo, Youth Counseling Expert
In addition, it is necessary to improve social awareness of the difficulties faced by youth and to develop and disseminate various programs to support youth in growing up healthy. For example, schools should strengthen suicide prevention education, and families should operate programs to promote communication between parents and children. Local communities should support various cultural and sports activities in which youth can participate and provide safe spaces for youth to use.
Investing in the Future Generation: Challenging Zero Youth Suicide Rate
Preventing youth suicide requires a shift in perception from simply solving a social problem to investing in the future generation. The government will continuously expand policy development and support for youth suicide prevention, raise the interest of the entire society in youth issues, and do its best to create a social environment in which youth can grow up healthy and happily. With the goal of reducing the youth suicide rate by 50% by 2030, the government plans to focus all its capabilities.
Preventing youth suicide is an investment in the future of our society. We will spare no effort to ensure that our children can grow up happily. - Park Min-soo, Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare
It is hoped that this government announcement will further raise social interest in youth suicide prevention and lead to the establishment of a practical support system. We all need warm attention and support so that young people do not lose hope and can grow up healthy.
