우리나라의 자살급증원인과 자살예방을 위한 정책과제(Policy issues and directions for a rapid increase in suicides in Korea)

Korea has the highest suicide rates among the OECD country. The rate of suicide was risen sharply since mid-1990s. Fast population aging of the country affects an increase in suicide rates. The suicide rates had been rising sharply in the recession of 1998 and 2008. Suicide rates in rural areas of Korea are significantly higher than the national average. Suicide is the leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year-old youth, and also among the nation's labor force in the core age group of 20 to 39. Unstable employees in their 40s and 50s, and the elderly who is not prepared for their later years leads Korea’s suicide rates. It is emphasized, in this study, that suicide rates can be controlled by proper treatment and prevention, as suicide is shown to be related to individual and environmental socioeconomic status. The treatment efforts of suicide should be done together to prevent suicidal behaviors, suicidal ideation, and complete suicide. High-risk group of suicidal behavior associated with depression, aging, economic difficulty, separation and divorce should be controlled by public mental health system. For the people who are in economic difficulty, it is also necessary to provide both urgent financial support and mental health service. For the healthy lifespan rather than mere life extension, socially taking care of the aged is required via vitalizing current ‘Senior Welfare Center’ and ‘Mental Health Center’.