A Catholic-run suicide prevention center has won the grand prize from the Korean government to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 5. The suicide prevention center of the One-Body One-Spirit Movement of Seoul archdiocese won the grand prize of Life and Love from the ministry for health and welfare. Sister Gloria Kim Bo-mi, director of the center said, “We have cooperated with dioceses to promote suicide prevention among youth and spread life awareness in society.” “I think that the government might see our potential for activities of suicide prevention,” she added. Since it was established in March 2010, the first and only organization to prevent suicide in the Catholic Church has run a hotline to give counselling to young people and has trained people who help prevent suicide. Also, it recently established a teenage anti-suicide group, called “Angels for Pro-Life” and staged a street campaign to reduce the number of youth suicides in South Korea. However, according to the government report, Korea's suicide rate was the highest among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2009. The number of people who committed suicide was 15,413 in 2009, which means an average of over 42 people killed themselves a day. Related reports: ‘Youths march to highlight suicide’
