SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - The number of Korean students at high risk of suicide has increased for two consecutive years, according to data from the Ministry of Education submitted to the National Assembly Research Service (NARS) on Wednesday. The survey, conducted annually, shows a worrying trend among elementary, middle, and high school students.
South Korea's youth suicide rate stood at 25.2 per 100,000 people in 2022, more than double the OECD average of 10.7 per 100,000. Government research indicates that around 10 percent of Korean students seriously contemplate suicide at least once a year. Key factors influencing these thoughts include family issues, impulsive behavior, mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression, and stress related to social relationships.
The Ministry of Education's survey targets specific age groups: first- and third-year elementary school students and first-year middle and high school students. The ministry observed a decline in the proportion of students in the high-risk group during 2020 and 2021, coinciding with reduced school attendance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, numbers rose again in 2022 when normal schooling resumed.
NARS pointed out that roughly 20 percent of students identified as high-risk are not receiving appropriate care from mental health professionals. The agency has called for a comprehensive mental health support strategy to ensure all students have access to necessary services.
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