"Accidents Could Happen Anywhere"... Citizens Express Fear and Anxiety

Increase in Mental Health Crisis Counseling Calls
Feelings of Guilt, Fear, and Insomnia Symptoms
"Feeling Depressed and Drained All Day Long"

On the 2nd, during the national mourning period following the large-scale crush disaster in Itaewon, the Itaewon accident psychological support counseling center is operating near the joint memorial altar at Noksapyeong Station Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee]"After holding it in for so long, I finally picked up the phone. I feel like I could die anytime because accidents happen suddenly everywhere."

Kim, a person in their 20s who witnessed the Itaewon crowd crush disaster scene, called the Mental Health Crisis Counseling Hotline on the 1st. Kim said they have been unable to sleep properly due to guilt and fear over not being able to save the victims.

Choi, in their 30s, who received psychological counseling on the 2nd, also said, "Although I did not see the accident scene directly, wandering around recklessly makes me feel like a disaster could happen anytime, anywhere," adding, "I feel depressed and drained all day long." Concerns about collective trauma (formal trauma) caused by the Itaewon disaster are growing.

According to the Mental Health Crisis Counseling Hotline on the 3rd, inquiries from people complaining of severe trauma symptoms have continued since the Itaewon disaster. A counselor at the hotline said, "Post-traumatic stress can last up to about a month, but some people repeatedly call without recovering," and added, "We provide counseling first and, if necessary, connect them to nearby hospitals in the area."

The problem is that trauma can spread throughout society. In fact, not only indirect witnesses of the accident but also ordinary citizens are unable to recover from the shock.

Kim Yuji (27) said, "With a major disaster happening in everyday life, I always feel the need to be cautious," and added, "The accident scenes keep coming to mind, and sometimes I even shed tears."

Office worker Jung (34) said, "It was a day to feel the preciousness and gratitude of being alive," and added, "It is unfortunate that we have to feel relieved just because we enjoyed a safe day today."

In addition, many people reportedly experience anxiety about accidents occurring when using amusement rides or subways, or suffer from insomnia. It is analyzed that the number of people complaining of trauma may increase further due to intensive coverage of the Itaewon crowd crush disaster and the activation of social networking services (SNS). According to the National Trauma Center, the number of counseling cases recorded during the Sewol ferry sinking and the Pohang earthquake were 6,364 and 8,496, respectively.

In this regard, the government and local governments plan to actively respond to psychological treatment. Prime Minister Han Deok-soo stated that psychological counseling and treatment would be supported not only for bereaved families and the injured but also for ordinary citizens. Seoul City also made psychological support services available to all citizens. Any Seoul citizen can receive depression and anxiety tests up to three times at 224 specialized psychiatric medical institutions in the city through prior reservation.

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