Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health, Survey of 1,500 Adults Aged 18 and Over

Despite Major Mental Health Crisis, Only 13% Actually Used Medical Services

A recent survey found that 9 out of 10 Koreans believe mental health problems or disorders can arise from social factors such as rapid political, social, or economic changes. Although 1 in 2 adults experienced stress over the past year severe enough to affect their health, only a very small number actually sought medical care.

The "BK21 Education and Research Group for Integrated Response to Health Disasters" at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health announced on the 7th that it had analyzed the results of a survey conducted from April 15 to 21, targeting 1,500 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide.

On the 4th of last month, the day of President Yoon Sukyeol's impeachment verdict, citizens and organization members supporting the impeachment were shouting slogans at a rally near the Constitutional Court in Anguk-dong, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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First, in response to the question of whether they believe mental health problems or disorders can be caused by social factors such as rapid political, social, or economic changes or major disasters, 91.1% of respondents answered "strongly agree" or "agree," indicating a very high level of agreement. Regarding the opinion that "the occurrence of mental illness or psychotic disorders is due to individual genetic factors," about half of respondents (51.3%) said "agree." For the statement, "If I were to suffer from mental health issues, I would be worried about prejudice or stigma and would fear letting others know or seeking professional help," 56.2% of all respondents said "agree."

In the survey asking "How would you rate the overall mental health of members of our society?" the average score was 2.59 out of 5, falling short of the "average level" (3 points). Among respondents, 48.1% chose "not good," 40.5% chose "average," and 11.4% chose "good." Of the 722 people who answered that the mental health of society members is "very poor" or "rather poor," 49.9% (multiple responses) cited "a social atmosphere that emphasizes competition and achievement," and 42.4% cited "a social atmosphere where the gaze and judgment of others or groups become the standard and norm" as influential factors.

The percentage of people experiencing a high level of resentment (resentment score of 2.5 or higher) was 14.7% in 2018, 11.9% in 2020, 13.9% in 2021, 9.3% in 2024, and rose again to 12.8% this year. The proportion of people in a "prolonged state of resentment (score of 1.6 or higher)" was 54.6% in 2018, 47.3% in 2020, 58.2% in 2021, 49.2% in 2024, and 54.9% in 2025, also showing an increase compared to last year's results.

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When asked, "In the past year, have you experienced stress severe enough to affect your health?" 47.1% responded "yes" and 52.9% said "no." Among those who answered "yes" (706 people), the main sources of stress at the personal or family level were changes in health (42.5%), changes in economic status (39.5%), and separation or loss (20.7%). At the social level (such as school or workplace), the main factors were changes in relationships (30.2%), employment status (23.7%), and task overload (21.4%). At the environmental level, including politics and society, the main factors were political environment changes such as corruption or abuse of power by national authorities (36.3%), cracks or dysfunction in the operation of the national system or maintenance of social order (33%), and social disasters such as major safety accidents, serious industrial accidents, and social catastrophes (23.1%).

In response to the question, "In the past year, have you ever faced a major mental health crisis that made it difficult to fulfill your usual roles or responsibilities?" 27.3% (409 people) answered "yes." Among them, 51.3% said they had seriously considered extreme choices, 20.5% had made plans for extreme choices, and 13.0% had attempted extreme choices.

However, only 39.4% of those in crisis said they "asked for help" from those around them, while 60.6% did not seek help. The main reasons given were "concerns and fears (stigma, others' perceptions, etc.)" at 41.9% (multiple responses), "not knowing how to ask for help" at 22.6%, and "economic issues (cost, insurance, etc.)" at 19.4%.

Only 13.1% of all respondents (196 people) said they had used medical services related to mental health. Among them, 69.4% said they hesitated before visiting a medical institution. The reasons included "concerns about negative perceptions from others and possible disadvantages due to treatment records" (25.7%), "the symptoms were not severe yet and I thought they would resolve over time" (16.9%), "I thought I should overcome it myself and that hospital treatment would not be very effective," and "concerns about treatment costs" (13.2% each).

Professor Yoo Myungsoon of Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health, who oversaw the survey, explained, "The emotional and affective state of a population group is an important prerequisite and requirement for mental health," adding, "Changes in the macro environment, such as the climate crisis or economic instability, can also negatively affect the mental health of individuals and groups."

Dr. Lee Yunkyung, who co-led the research, pointed out, "About 47% of respondents experienced stress over the past year severe enough to affect their health, and 27% faced a major mental health crisis that made it difficult to fulfill their existing roles or responsibilities, but only 13% actually used medical services. The fact that 69% of these individuals hesitated to visit medical institutions highlights the need for overall improvement in societal perceptions of mental illness and active government intervention to address mental health issues."