Last year, 38,833 people were taken to emergency rooms for attempted suicide in South Korea

Last year, 38,833 people were rushed to emergency rooms due to suicide attempts or suicide attempts.
According to documents submitted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of patients who were taken to emergency rooms due to suicide or attempted suicide last year was 38,833, a 13% increase from 2020 (34,313).
The number of patients who died after being taken to emergency rooms due to suicide or attempted suicide increased by 18.8%, from 1,413 in 2020 to 1,679 last year.
Mortality rate for patients admitted to emergency rooms increased slightly from 4.1% to 4.3%. The increase in suicide attempts and suicides has led to a decline in the availability of adequate mental health care treatment and management for these individuals.
This is of utmost importance. Compared to the general population, suicide attempters have a 20 to 30 times higher risk of suicide and require special care. Currently, the Welfare Department is providing support to those who have attempted suicide and are taken to emergency rooms in the community.
The organization works in cooperation with relevant institutions within the country to implement an "emergency room-based post-suicide attempt management project" that provides mental health medical treatment and other services.
Among those who committed suicide or attempted suicide and were taken to the emergency room where this project is carried out,
The number of patients enrolled in follow-up care increased by 51.6% from 11,593 in 2020 to 17,580 last year. Of these, the number of patients who continued to receive care until the fourth time increased from 8,172 in 2020 to 17,580 last year.
Last year, that number rose to 13,790. Despite the increasing number of people taking part in the emergency room-based follow-up management project for suicide attempts, the organization carrying out the project is unable to reach its target.
The government set a target of 93 institutions implementing emergency room-based follow-up management programs for suicide attempters this year, but as of this month only 88 institutions are currently operating.
"The number of patients who are brought to emergency rooms due to suicide or attempted suicide is increasing year by year," said Rep. Chang. "The emergency room-based post-suicide management project is proving to be effective."
"Therefore, we should encourage medical institutions to participate and expand national investment so that this project can be made more active," he emphasized.
Main consultation desks for mental health issues: Unified hotline for mental health consultations: 0570-064-556 Yorisoi Hotline: 0120-279-338, from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures: 012
0-279-226 ●Lifeline: 0570-783-556