A Seoul Catholic youth center is targeting Korea’s high suicide rate with a new program for young people that emphasizes the importance of life.

The program organized by the Metropolitan Boramae Youth Center of Seoul archdiocese comprises a six lecture series which shows young people how to identify and help their peers who may be at risk of suicide.

“The program aims to awaken young people to the value of life, rather than pointing out why suicide is bad,” explained Sister Jerome Mok Young-kyoung, head of the counselling team at the youth center.

“If young people are equipped with the solutions, they can help others in crisis,” she added.

“In my experience, I have found that young people may easily come to consider suicide and finish by killing themselves unintentionally,” the Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help continued.

Young people who are at risk of suicide frequently talk of death and avoid being with other family members and friends, Sister Mok said. They show no interest in anything and do not take care of their own affairs.

The center has an education team that is available to visit schools and parishes free of charge.

According to Korea’s National Statistical Office, 317 people aged between 10 and 19 committed suicide in 2008, up from 232 in 2006.

South Korea has the highest overall suicide rate in the world. The main reasons for the nation’s youth suicides are thought to be study and sex-related anxieties, along with family discord.

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