Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline to Be Unified as '109' from Next Year... Kim Han-gil Says "It Will Be an Effective Policy"

Joint Briefing by National Integration Committee, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Science and ICT
'One Life (1) · Suicide Zero (0) · Save (9)'
Enhancing Effectiveness and Promptness with Easy Numbers

Starting January next year, various counseling hotlines responsible for suicide prevention will be integrated and implemented under the number '109'.

Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on National Integration, introduced the new suicide prevention counseling number '109' at a joint briefing of the National Integration Committee, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Science and ICT held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 23rd, stating, "It can be an effective policy tool to prevent suicide as it is easy to recall during the confusing and painful process of contemplating suicide."

The National Integration Committee explained that 109, like '119', conveys the perception that suicide is an "emergency situation requiring rescue," and the number signifies one life (1), zero suicide (zero, 0), and rescue (9).

Earlier, the Special Committee for Overcoming Suicide Crisis under the National Integration Committee proposed to the government in August a policy to establish "a single, easy-to-remember three-digit integrated suicide prevention counseling number" from the perspective of the need for a nationwide response and cooperation for suicide prevention.

Since suicide prevention counseling is a rescue signal at the most desperate moment, the phone number must be easy to remember for prompt response. In the United States, after integrating the suicide prevention counseling number to 988, the response rate improved by 33%, and waiting time was reduced by 75%.

Currently, suicide prevention-related counseling numbers are dispersed as follows: Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline (1393), Mental Health Counseling Hotline (1577-0199), Lifeline (1588-9191), Youth Hotline (1388), Youth Mobile Counseling (1661-5004), Health and Welfare Counseling Center (129), Women's Emergency Hotline (1366), and Defense Help Call (1303), making it difficult to recall in emergencies, a concern that has been consistently raised.

The National Integration Committee and related ministries plan to continuously consult to ensure smooth operation of 109 as the integrated number starting January next year, while actively promoting it to the public and focusing on raising awareness of suicide prevention to enhance its effectiveness.

Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will make every effort to ensure the system transition and manpower expansion necessary for 109 to operate properly as soon as possible," adding, "We will focus on guidance and promotion so that an effective counseling hotline that can provide the necessary help to prevent suicide can be operated."

Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, also said, "I deeply agree with the purpose and necessity of integrating the suicide prevention counseling number into an easy-to-remember three-digit number," and explained, "We plan to complete the pre-assignment of the number and provide support through close consultations to ensure there are no issues in operating 109 starting January next year."

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