When Will the COVID Situation End... Deepening Depression

Complaints of Apathy Due to External Isolation
Concerns Over Rising Extreme Suicides

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Office worker Lee (29, female) had hoped that the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) would end by summer earlier this year. However, as the thought that it might never end, not even this year, set in, her feelings of depression intensified. Wearing masks is basic, and the 'frustration' of limited outdoor activities due to social distancing seemed unlikely to improve. She said, "I feel down every day because I can't engage in proper outdoor activities."

Corona Blue, referring to depression or lethargy caused by COVID-19, is deepening. A survey revealed that 5 out of 100 people suffer from depression. A research team led by Professor Shin Yong-wook of the Department of Psychiatry and Professor Cho Min-woo of Preventive Medicine at Seoul Asan Medical Center analyzed the National Health Insurance Corporation's medical big data on the 30th of last month and reported that 5.3% of the population suffers from depression. The problem is that the emotional causes triggering Corona Blue are increasing. Office worker Hong (30, female) said, "It's not that I have to be outside until after 9 p.m., but the loss of choice causes stress," adding, "Personally, not knowing how next month's wedding will go adds to my depressive feelings." Job seeker Jeon Soo-young (27) said, "At first, I was depressed because I couldn't play sports like soccer, which I like, but now the uncertainty about employment worries me even more."

Concerns that Corona Blue could lead to extreme choices are naturally growing. Professor Kim Hyun-soo of Myongji Hospital's Department of Psychiatry said, "Primarily, emotional factors caused by social distancing and secondarily economic factors can cause depression," adding, "If the situation does not improve, there is a need to strengthen social interest in preventing extreme choices."

According to the report "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Transition Pathways of Youth" recently released by the Seoul Youth Activity Support Center, among 2,011 youths aged 19 to 34 living in Seoul who participated in a survey last October, as many as 26.8% had thought about suicide at least once since February. Professor Kim emphasized, "Active testing and counseling for emotional depression should be conducted, and government-level support to resolve economic problems must be strengthened."

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