Gov't to identify 20,000 people at high risk of suicide in social welfare policy push

The government plans to identify and provide support to about 20,000 socially isolated people at high risk of suicide, including those with a history of self-harm, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday.

The measures are part of expanded efforts to reduce the country's persistently high suicide rate. They will also provide a faster emergency response and other assistance to households struggling with the burden of caring for family members with serious illnesses or disabilities.

The ministry presented a set of interagency measures aimed at preventing suicide among socially isolated and vulnerable households and families facing heavy caregiving burdens. The measures follow a broader suicide prevention initiative covering nine areas discussed at a Cabinet meeting in May.

Korea's suicide rate, the highest among members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), has been a key concern for President Lee Jae Myung.

"When you look at the causes of suicide, there are issues that make it difficult for people to make ends meet, such as debt," Lee said Tuesday. "Although the suicide rate has fallen from previous levels, it is still three times the OECD average."

The risk of social isolation has grown in recent years amid an increase in single-person households. Financial difficulties such as debt, a lack of support networks and a loss of a sense of belonging due to severed social ties are considered the major factors associated with suicide among socially isolated households.

The government plans to focus on detecting signs of isolation earlier by linking its existing system for identifying people at risk of dying alone, which currently covers about 200,000 socially isolated people and draws on 27 types of data.

Under the existing system, greater weight will be given to suicide-related data, such as emergency room visits following self-harm or suicide attempts, to identify people at high risk and categorize them by type of social isolation.

About 20,000 people are expected to be identified for assistance under the system, which is set to be revamped before its implementation next year.

To prevent suicide among low-income people, the government will allow local welfare officials to provide emergency financial assistance at their discretion even if it’s a small amount. An on-site assessment of people at high risk of suicide will also be skipped to provide assistance more expediently.

Reports submitted through a welfare crisis reporting app — which allows users to alert authorities and seek help when they or others face difficulties involving basic living needs, caregiving, health or housing — will also receive 24-hour emergency counseling if they contain suicide-related language.

Families facing heavy caregiving burdens are another group considered to be at elevated risk of suicide. There have been cases in which family members caring for people with serious illnesses such as dementia or severe disabilities have died, while some who provide care alone for extended periods develop illnesses or depression.

Starting in the second half of this year, the government will use social security data to identify and investigate households expected to face particularly heavy caregiving burdens among those caring for older family members or people with disabilities.

The effort will primarily target households in which an older person is caring for another older person, as well as families that do not use public care services.

Those identified as being at high risk of suicide will be given priority access to emergency care services for up to 72 hours and professional counseling through mental health welfare centers. Emergency care can be used flexibly according to individual needs, including three hours a day for 24 days or eight hours a day for nine days.

The government also plans to expedite access to broader community-based integrated care services.

It will expand a family respite program — designed to give family caregivers time to rest and recover — and consider improvements to family care leave programs to prevent people from losing their jobs because of caregiving responsibilities.

The government is to survey family caregivers of people with dementia and developmental disabilities and classify new caregiving burdens as a potential factor in suicide to build relevant data.

Critics, however, say the measures fall short of fundamentally reducing the burden on people with serious illnesses and their families.

"Specialized care and recovery infrastructure and support systems are needed for patients with serious illnesses and their families, but there are still major shortcomings in these areas," said Kim Seong-ju, the head of the Korea Severe Disease Association. "The financial burden, including caregiving expenses, also remains high."

"To substantially reduce their mental health risks and risk of suicide, the government needs to go beyond emergency assistance and overhaul the entire care system."

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191 or the Crisis Counseling Center at 1577-0199. The Seoul Global Center offers English-language counseling, contact 02-2075-4180 (+1) to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

BY JUNG JONG-HOON [shin.woojin@joongang.co.kr]