South Korea

Church seeks help for families of Korean suicide victims

Relatives of victims, survivors are 'six to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population'

UCA News reporter

Updated: August 08, 2022 07:29 AM GMT

In this file photo, a statue of a man comforting a person is placed to dissuade suicides on Mapo Bridge, a common site for suicides, over the Han river in Seoul on July 14, 2014. 

An official from a Church-sponsored pro-life organization in South Korea has called on the government and civil society groups to reach out to family members of suicide victims as the nation continues to grapple with a rising number of cases.

Father Cha Bauna, director of the One Body One Spirit (OBOS) Suicide Prevention Center, based in the capital Seoul, emphasized the need to pay particular attention to those left behind so that there are no further tragedies.

Family members of suicide victims and suicide survivors are six to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Studies show the risk is often nine times higher. Therefore, taking good care of them is very important in suicide prevention, said Father Cha Bauna in an interview with Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation (CPBC) on Aug. 5.

Suicides are socially taboo and thus their families are marginalized. If such people were pushed out of the Church and society, there would be nowhere else in the world for them to go. As neighbors, we must find ways to prevent such things from happening in the future. That is what the Church community should do, the priest noted.

The priest's appeal follows a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare which said that in 2020 South Korea recorded 25.7 suicides per 100,000 of the population, up from 24.6 in 2019.

The figure is the highest among 37 developed nations listed by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). South Korea's suicide figure is more than double the average of 11 cases per 100,000 of the population among OECD-listed nations.

About 6 out of 10 respondents said they would choose death after a family member or friend committed suicide

The Korean government has also analyzed factors behind suicides based on data from 801 suicide victims and their families over the past seven years.

Among the most common causes were a breakdown in family relationships, economic downturns, loss of jobs, poverty, and social isolation. About 9 in 10 victims had psychological disorders.

In over 83 percent of cases, bereaved relatives experienced a deterioration in their psychological state including depression. About 6 out of 10 respondents said they would choose death after a family member or friend committed suicide.

The Korean government has implemented a five-yearly Mental Health Program since 2004, particularly aiming to prevent suicides by combing state and non-state efforts.

Founded in 2004, the Korean Association for Suicide Prevention (KSAP), is a leading non-government organization, that promotes mental health and suicide prevention through education, awareness, and support for research and policy development.

The group, however, says that support for mental health is still inadequate, adding that mental health and suicides are still stigmatized topics, which need to be treated carefully.

Lonely deaths shot up to over 1,000 in 2019 from around 60 in 2011

In 2021, authorities in Chungnam province signed a deal with the country's largest telecommunications firm, KT Corporation, to pilot artificial intelligence-based care robots that will help communicate with residents living alone and dealing with mental health problems, Healthcare News reported.

This came after media reported that the province recorded the highest suicide rate in the country with 35 cases per 100,000 deaths, 8% higher than the national average. Lonely deaths shot up to over 1,000 in 2019 from around 60 in 2011, according to South Korea's Health and Welfare Ministry.

Father Cha Bauna said the Catholic Church in Korea spares no effort in pastoral consideration for vulnerable families of suicide victims.

For example, the OBOS Suicide Prevention Center provides a place for self-help through gatherings for bereaved families, monthly masses, and retreats for two days and one night.

In June this year, it launched a campaign of prayer and rosary distribution as part of efforts to tackle rising rates of depression and suicide.

Another church-based group, Myeongrangchon (Myeongrang Village), has been running Life Safety Net programs and activities that convey the hope of life by caring for residents and neighbors, since 2012.

The group has trained over 540 volunteers to offer services that include free hugs, love life advice, family visit programs, suicide prevention and life-loving campaigns through public-private partnerships and networking.

Latest News
Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News