Gyeonggi-do Youth Suicide Rate Hits Record High... Moves to Establish Life Safety Net

Gyeonggi-do has initiated the establishment of a robust, integrated youth life protection system that connects schools, local communities, and medical institutions in response to the annually increasing suicide rate among teenagers.

On May 21, Gyeonggi-do will hold the 'Gyeonggi-do Suicide Prevention Measures Task Force (TF) 2nd Plenary Meeting' to discuss practical suicide prevention and crisis response measures for adolescents.

According to statistics, the suicide rate among teenagers (ages 10–19) in Gyeonggi-do reached an all-time high since data collection began in 2000—rising from 6.5 per 100,000 people in 2020, to 8.2 in 2021, 7.6 in 2022, 8.1 in 2023, and 8.3 in 2024.

Last year, the rates of depression experience (27.2%) and suicidal ideation (12.8%) among Gyeonggi-do's youth also exceeded the national averages (25.7% and 11.6%, respectively).

Reflecting feedback from field practitioners that there is insufficient coordination among institutions, Gyeonggi-do will focus on the creation of the "Gyeonggi-do Youth Life (Guardian) Linkage Protocol" (tentative name) as a key agenda item at the meeting.

This protocol aims to establish a standardized guideline that minimizes referral and connection gaps among schools (Wee Centers—public psychological counseling and healing institutions within education offices for students, parents, and teachers), out-of-school youth support centers, suicide prevention centers, and medical institutions, ensuring seamless "early detection–rapid intervention–post-management" processes.

Participants of the 'Gyeonggi Province Suicide Prevention Task Force (TF) 1st Meeting' held last March are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Gyeonggi Province.

In particular, to address the distinctive characteristics of youth suicide such as "impulsivity" and "spontaneity," the meeting will focus on specific collaborative tasks, including: securing the practical effectiveness of emergency interventions that can be implemented without guardian consent; reviewing models for psychiatric emergency beds dedicated to children and adolescents; and strengthening support for youth suicide survivors by unifying survivor information centers at the regional level in the second half of 2026.

Kim Sungjoong, Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs of Gyeonggi-do, emphasized, "Unlike other age groups, stress among adolescents often leads to impulsive attempts without clear warning signs, requiring more meticulous management. We will integrate fragmented programs by institution and establish a detailed protocol to ensure that no adolescent in Gyeonggi-do is left alone in a crisis, thus completing the region's life safety net."

The Gyeonggi-do Suicide Prevention Measures TF is chaired by the Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs and comprises over 20 members, including officials from various departments, the education office, and experts. This meeting will also include additional participation from experts at relevant organizations, such as the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency's Youth Protection Division and directors of youth counseling and welfare centers.

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