[2020 National Audit] "Increased COVID-19 Cases in February and June Also Led to More Depression Patients"

Democratic Party Rep. Park Jeong's Audit Data
Increased by 10.6% and 7.9% Respectively Compared to the Same Month Last Year

Source: Office of Assemblyman Park Jung

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] In February and June of this year, when the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea surged, the proportion of patients with depression also increased by around 10% compared to last year.

According to the national audit data released on the 7th by Park Jung, the Democratic Party member and secretary of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, based on data submitted by the National Health Insurance Service, the number of depression patients in February and June, when COVID-19 cases surged, increased by 10.6% (February) and 7.9% (June) respectively compared to the same months last year.

By generation, depression showed a high rate of increase among people in their 20s and 30s, with an increase more than seven times higher than the average increase across all age groups. This is inferred to be because social distancing measures strengthened due to COVID-19 had the greatest impact on people in their 20s and 30s.

Additionally, according to data from the National Center for Mental Health, the number of mental health-related inquiries and psychological counseling cases in the first half of this year also increased more than threefold compared to the same period last year.

Lawmaker Park evaluated, "These results are figures that show 'corona blue' caused by COVID-19 has become a reality." He also urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to actively engage in activities so that the public can overcome corona blue through cultural, artistic, and sports activities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.