‘Warm Spring for Frozen Hearts’ … Gyeongnam Province Prevents Extreme Suicides Among Residents

March to May High-Risk Suicide Period Intensive Management Plan Implementation

Gyeongsangnam-do will implement an intensive management plan for high-risk suicide periods until May 31.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do has established and is implementing the ‘Intensive Management Plan for High-Risk Suicide Periods’ until May 31.

The province stated that according to statistics, the suicide mortality rate has sharply increased during the spring months from March to May over the past four years.

The increase in spring suicide rates is a common global phenomenon, presumed to be influenced by seasonal factors such as increased daylight, pollen, and fine dust. In South Korea, in addition to these seasonal factors, factors such as graduation and job-seeking periods appear to additionally contribute.

Gyeongsangnam-do plans to conduct intensive management of high-risk suicide groups registered and managed at mental health welfare centers.

Among those who have agreed to the emergency room-based post-management service for suicide attempters, those whose service has ended or who have not been linked to local services will receive check-in text messages and be provided with suicide prevention counseling numbers.

In cooperation with social service providers supporting elderly tailored care services and home health care projects, a system will be established to identify and connect high-risk suicide groups among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and pregnant women.

Information about support organizations will be promoted through suicide-prone areas, places frequently visited by vulnerable groups, and provincial and city/county social networking services (SNS), along with guidance on emergency welfare support systems to prevent cases of extreme thoughts due to economic difficulties.

Baek Jongcheol, Director of the Health Administration Division, said, “The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns about the mental fatigue and depression of residents,” and added, “If you are struggling mentally and need help, please do not hesitate to seek assistance through mental health crisis counseling and suicide prevention counseling hotlines.”

For the mental health of residents, Gyeongsangnam-do operates 24-hour crisis counseling hotlines and suicide prevention counseling hotlines to provide suicide prevention counseling.

In addition to counseling hotlines, anyone can apply for self-assessment of mental health and counseling through the Gyeongsangnam-do Regional Mental Health Welfare Center website at any time.

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