Jeon Nam-do Councilor Lee Gwang-il Points Out Lack of "Healing Specialized Facilities" for At-Risk Youth

Lee Gwang-il, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-gyeong] Lee Gwang-il, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member (Democratic Party of Korea, Yeosu 1), pointed out the urgent need to establish specialized facilities for crisis management and healing for adolescents experiencing extreme stress or psychological crises.

According to data from the Korea Educational Development Institute's Education Statistics Center submitted by Assemblyman Lee Gwang-il on the 16th, the rates of stress perception, depression, and suicide attempts among middle and high school students had decreased since 2006 but have been on the rise since 2016. It was also found that the stress perception rate among domestic adolescents is higher compared to adults. In particular, the suicide attempt rate was confirmed to be highest among 9th graders (middle school 3rd grade).

Analysis results show that 39.9% of middle and high school students feel 'very much' or 'a lot' of stress. Comparing this with the stress perception rate of adults aged 19 and over from the National Health Statistics, adults' stress perception rate is in the high 20% range, whereas adolescents' stress perception rate ranges from 35% to 46%, indicating that adolescents experience more stress than adults.

Additionally, the adolescent stress perception rate peaked at 46.5% in 2006, dropped to 35.4% in 2015, but has been increasing again since 2016 (37.5%). Last year's figure was 0.5 percentage points lower than 40.4% in 2018 but higher than 37.0% in 2014. Looking at it by grade, similar to the stress perception rate, the experience rate of depression also increases with higher grades.

At the administrative audit held by the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, Assemblyman Lee stated, "The proportion of middle and high school students who attempted extreme choices has increased since 2016," adding, "Although it declined last year, the suicide attempt rate among 9th graders was 2.5% in 2015, the lowest, but then rose to 2.6%, 3.1%, 3.8%, and 3.9%, showing a continuous increase for four consecutive years, the only grade to do so."

He continued, "The number of crisis students experiencing psychological stress, depression, and suicidal impulses is increasing. Specialized facilities for managing and healing these crisis students are urgently needed," and urged, "I propose the establishment of specialized facilities for the psychological healing of our children."

He also expressed hope, saying, "I expect that integrated support centers like the Ma-eum Ki-um Integrated Support Center in Suncheon will be expanded by region so that no child is left out and everyone is respected, creating a happy Jeonnam education."

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