1
|
Lee YH, Paik JW, Lee HY. The Role and Future Tasks of the National Assembly Suicide Prevention Forum - Focusing on the Legislative Content of Suicide Prevention Laws. Psychiatry Investig 2024; 21:681-690. [PMID: 39089693 PMCID: PMC11298267 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2024.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In South Korea, there were 12,906 suicides in 2022. This number is 4.7 times higher than the number of traffic accident deaths-i.e., 2,753-in the same year. Suicide is so serious that it is the fifth leading cause of death in South Korea. We would like to discuss how the National Assembly Suicide Prevention Forum was established, what role it has played in preventing suicide, and what role it should play in the future. METHODS We will look into the representatives and lawmakers who made up the National Assembly Suicide Prevention and summarize the topics of seminars conducted in each period. RESULTS Through the establishment of the National Assembly Suicide Prevention Forum in 2018, which is referred to hereafter as the "Forum," various efforts have been made to garner the attention of government ministries, which has led to an increase of 6.7 times in the budget for suicide prevention compared to 2017. With the launch of the forum, private organizations that had previously been working independently in their own fields were able to come together and speak with a unified voice. The formation of the Forum has brought the issue of suicide, which had previously been buried in the dark corners of our society, to the forefront as a social problem, and it has provided an impetus for seeking solutions. CONCLUSION In the 22nd National Assembly of South Korea, the National Assembly Suicide Prevention Forum is expected to play a more prominent role, which is expected to lead to substantial achievements in suicide prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youn-Ho Lee
- Department of Public Administration, General Graduate School, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Woo Paik
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Young Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qu D, Zhang X, Liu D, Liu B, Chen D, Cai C, An J, Saxena S, Chen R. Effectiveness of a school-based Life Gatekeeper Training Program on suicide prevention in China: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:335. [PMID: 38773529 PMCID: PMC11110327 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08137-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With suicide as a leading cause of death, the issue of children and adolescent suicide risks is in the spotlight today. To empower teachers in primary and secondary schools to serve as gatekeepers and to ensure the safety of children and adolescents, the systematically tailored and localized Life Gatekeeper suicide prevention program was designed for Chinese schools. OBJECTIVE With the ultimate goal of preventing child and adolescent suicide, we aim to outline a research protocol for examining outcomes of the recently created standardized school-based Life Gatekeeper program in reducing teachers' stigma, increasing their knowledge, willingness to intervene, and perceived competence. METHODS Participants will be recruited from eligible primary and secondary schools. Cluster sampling will be used to randomly assign each school to either the intervention group or the control group. The primary outcomes are stigma against suicide, suicide literacy, perceived competence, and willingness to intervene with suicidal individuals, which will be measured using the Stigma of Suicide Scale, the Literacy of Suicide Scale, and the Willingness to Intervene Against Suicide Questionnaire, respectively. Measurements will be taken at four time points, including pre-intervention, immediately after the intervention, 6-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The current study features innovative implementation in the real world, by using a randomized controlled trial design to examine the effectiveness of a school-based gatekeeper program among primary and secondary school teachers, following a sequence of defined and refined steps. The research will also investigate the viability of a school-based gatekeeper program for primary and secondary school teachers that could be quickly and inexpensively implemented in a large number of schools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diyang Qu
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Dongyu Liu
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bowen Liu
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Dongyang Chen
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chengxi Cai
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jing An
- Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
- Peking University Huilongguan Clinical Medical School, Beijing, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shekhar Saxena
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Runsen Chen
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jin T, Seo J, Ye S, Lee S, Park EY, Oh JK, Han C, Kim B. Suicide mortality following the implementation of tobacco packaging and pricing policies in Korea: an interrupted time-series analysis. BMC Med 2024; 22:180. [PMID: 38679738 PMCID: PMC11057188 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03372-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To prevent tobacco use in Korea, the national quitline number was added to tobacco packages in December 2012, tobacco prices were raised by 80% in January 2015, and graphic health warning labels were placed on tobacco packages in December 2016. This study evaluated the association of these tobacco packaging and pricing policies with suicide mortality in Korea. METHODS Monthly mortality from suicide was obtained from Cause-of-Death Statistics in Korea from December 2007 to December 2019. Interrupted time-series analysis was performed using segmented Poisson regression models. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated adjusted for suicide prevention strategies. RESULTS Suicide mortality was 20 per 1,000,000 in December 2007 and showed a downward trend over the study period. After the implementation of tobacco packaging and pricing policies, suicide mortality immediately declined by - 0.09 percent points (95% CI = - 0.19 to 0.01; P > 0.05) for the national quitline number, - 0.22 percent points (95% CI = - 0.35 to - 0.09; P < 0.01) for tobacco prices, and - 0.30 percent points (95% CI = - 0.49 to - 0.11; P < 0.01) for graphic health warning labels. The corresponding RRs for these post-implementation changes compared with the pre-implementation level were 0.91 (95% CI = 0.83 to 1.00), 0.80 (95% CI = 0.70 to 0.91), and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.61 to 0.90), respectively. Significant associations between tobacco control policies and suicide mortality were observed even when stratified by sex and region. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study provide new evidence for an association between tobacco control policies and deaths by suicide. An array of effective tobacco control policies should be considered for prevention programs targeting suicide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taiyue Jin
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-Ro, Ilsandong-Gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, South Korea
| | - Juhee Seo
- Vital Statistics Division, Statistics Korea, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Shinhee Ye
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Seulbi Lee
- Department of Big Data Strategy, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, South Korea
| | - Eun Young Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin-Kyoung Oh
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-Ro, Ilsandong-Gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, South Korea
- Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Changwoo Han
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Byungmi Kim
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-Ro, Ilsandong-Gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, South Korea.
- Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
You DK, Son JM, Hwang TY. Effectiveness of Gatekeeper Training for Families of People With Mental Disorders in Korea: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:1185-1194. [PMID: 38163658 PMCID: PMC10758327 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given the high suicide risk among people with schizophrenia and other mental disorders and the significance of intervention in the daily life setting, tailored gatekeeper training is necessary for families of people with mental disorders. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a suicide prevention education program for families of people with mental disorders (SPEM-F), developed by the Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention. METHODS Fifty-nine family members of people with mental disorders were recruited from eight community psychiatric rehabilitation centers in Korea and enrolled in a cluster randomized controlled trial. Four facilities were randomized to the experimental group (n=30) and four to the control group (n=29). The study parameters were measured at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up; the effects of SPEM-F (90 minutes, conducted offline) were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. The dependent variables were suicide-related knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, preventive behavioral intention, and family problem-solving communication. RESULTS The experimental group showed significant increases in suicide-related knowledge (p<0.001), self-efficacy (p<0.05), and preventive behavioral intention (p<0.01) compared with the control group until the 1-month follow-up, including an upward trend in improved family problem-solving communication (p=0.069). CONCLUSION The results confirm that SPEM-F is an effective evidence-based gatekeeper training program for families of people with mental disorders, as it focuses on knowledge, self-efficacy, preventive behavioral intention, and communication improvement. As families of people with mental disorders including schizophrenia, are both highly motivated and close to people at high risk for suicide, SPEM-F can effectively promote suicide prevention and gatekeeper activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deuk-Kweon You
- Education and Research Division, Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeoung-Mo Son
- Education and Research Division, Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Yeon Hwang
- Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Park SC. Why "Suicide CARE" Is Required for North Korean Defectors in South Korean Society? Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:391-392. [PMID: 37253463 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seon-Cheol Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee YJ, Lee HA, Kim KA, Baik M, Paik JW, Seol J, Lee SM, Lee EJ, Lee H, Lim M, Jun JY, Ki SW, Jeon HJ, Kwon SJ, Lee HY. Standardized Suicide Prevention Program for Gatekeeper Intervention of North Korean Defectors in South Korea. Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:452-460. [PMID: 37253471 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE North Korean defectors (NKDs) have experienced substantial difficulties during the migration and settlement in South Korea. They have a high prevalence of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behaviors. The high prevalence of mental disorders among NKDs can lead to a high suicide rate. However, there are no suicide prevention programs for NKDs. This study aims to customize a suicide prevention program with content suitable for NKDs' particular circumstances. METHODS A multidisciplinary research team developed this program based on domestic and international gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention and articles related to suicide prevention. RESULTS We developed a multi-part gatekeeper training program, "Suicide CARE for NKDs." In the "Introduction," trainees learn about the need for the program and its importance. In "Careful observation," trainees learn to recognize linguistic, behavioral, and situational signals of suicide risk. In "Active listening," trainees learn how to ask about suicidal thoughts and to listen empathetically. In "Risk evaluation and expert referral," trainees learn to evaluate suicide risk and to connect NKDs with institutes or services. CONCLUSION We expect this program to become useful for training gatekeepers to prevent suicide among NKD. A future follow-up study is needed to confirm the efficacy of the program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Jung Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ah Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong Ah Kim
- Department of Psychology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungjae Baik
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Woo Paik
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinmi Seol
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Min Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- Department of Social Welfare, Suwon Science College, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Haewoo Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Meerae Lim
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yong Jun
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Wan Ki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Jin Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Jung Kwon
- Republic of Korea Air Force, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Young Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Park SC. "Suicide CARE" Is Proactively Required to Reduce the Suicide Death Rate in the Identified Hotspots in South Korea. ALPHA PSYCHIATRY 2023; 24:56-57. [PMID: 37144045 PMCID: PMC10151938 DOI: 10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2023.020323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Seon-Cheol Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ryu S, Nam HJ, Jhon M, Lee JY, Kim JM, Kim SW. Trends in suicide deaths before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273637. [PMID: 36094911 PMCID: PMC9467344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the effect of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on suicide trends in Korea via a time-series analysis. We used Facebook Prophet to generate forecasting models based on the monthly numbers of suicide deaths in Korea between 1997 and 2018, validated the models by comparison with the 2019 numbers, and predicted the numbers of suicides in 2020. We compared the expected and observed numbers of suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total numbers of suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic did not deviate from projections based on the pre-pandemic period. However, the number of suicides among women and those under the age of 34 years significantly exceeded the expected level. The COVID-19 pandemic did not increase the overall suicide rate significantly. However, suicides among women and young people increased, suggesting that the pandemic might drive more members of these groups to suicide. Further studies are needed to verify the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seunghyong Ryu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Nam
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Jhon
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae-Min Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Sung-Wan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Korea
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kim SW, Park WY, Kim H, Jhon M, Kim JW, Kang HJ, Kim SY, Ryu S, Lee JY, Shin IS, Kim JM. Development of a Checklist for Predicting Suicidality Based on Risk and Protective Factors: The Gwangju Checklist for Evaluation of Suicidality. Psychiatry Investig 2022; 19:470-479. [PMID: 35753686 PMCID: PMC9233948 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2022.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to develop a checklist for mental health clinicians to predict and manage suicidality. METHODS A literature review of the risk and protective factors for suicide was conducted to develop a checklist for evaluating suicidality. RESULTS The fixed risk factors included sex (male), age (older individuals), history of childhood adversity, and a family history of suicide. Changeable risk factors included marital status (single), economic status (poverty), physical illness, history of psychiatric hospitalization, and history of suicide attempts. Recent discharge from a mental hospital and a recent history of suicide attempts were also included. Manageable risk factors included depression (history and current), alcohol problems (frequent drinking and alcohol abuse), hopelessness, agitation, impulsivity, impaired reality testing, and command hallucinations. Protective factors included responsibility to family, social support, moral objections to suicide, religiosity, motivation to get treatment, ability to cope with stress, and a healthy lifestyle. A final score was assigned based on the sum of the risk and protective factor scores. CONCLUSION We believe that the development of this checklist will help mental health clinicians to better assess those at risk for suicidal behavior. Further studies are necessary to validate the checklist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Wan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.,Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Community Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Young Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Gwangju Veterans Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Honey Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.,Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Community Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jhon
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Wan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.,Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Community Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Ju Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Young Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyoung Ryu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.,Gwangju Metropolitan Mental Health Welfare Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.,Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Community Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Seon Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Min Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nam HJ, Sim HB, Lee JY, Kim SW, Kim JM, Ryu S. Changing Seasonal Pattern of Suicides in Korea Between 2000 and 2019. Psychiatry Investig 2022; 19:320-325. [PMID: 35500905 PMCID: PMC9058267 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2021.0387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the changing seasonal pattern of suicides in Korea between 2000 and 2019. METHODS We calculated a seasonal pattern of suicides between 2000 and 2019 using a non-stationary cosinor model. In addition, we estimated the effect of each month on the suicide incidence compared to a reference month, using a generalized linear model with a categorical variable of the month. Then, we visualized the rate ratio curves of suicides by gender, age group, and subperiod. RESULTS We observed a seasonal pattern of suicides in Korea with a spring peak and a winter trough. The seasonal ups and downs were most pronounced in suicides among the elderly ≥65 years. However, the seasonal pattern has not been consistent over the past two decades, with lowering seasonal peaks since 2012. The amplitude of seasonality was also lower in 2010-2019 than in 2000-2009. CONCLUSION The seasonal pattern of suicides seems to have diminished in Korea in recent years. Thus, we need further studies to investigate climatic and non-climatic factors influencing the seasonality of suicides and the consequence of the change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee Jung Nam
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Bo Sim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Wan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Min Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyong Ryu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Raschke N, Mohsenpour A, Aschentrup L, Fischer F, Wrona KJ. Socioeconomic factors associated with suicidal behaviors in South Korea: systematic review on the current state of evidence. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:129. [PMID: 35042490 PMCID: PMC8765829 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12498-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The economic and human costs of suicide to individuals, families, communities, and society make suicide a major public health problem around the world. Suicide rates in South Korea are among the highest in the world. This paper is the first systematic review investigating socioeconomic risk factors for suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideation, attempted suicides, and completed suicides) in South Korea. Methods We performed a systematic review in Medline and Web of Science. Empirical studies and peer-reviewed articles on the association between individual socioeconomic factors and suicidal behaviors have been included. A total of 53 studies were included in a descriptive synthesis. Results Overall, 35 studies focused on the association between individual socioeconomic factors and suicidal ideation, 16 were related to suicide attempts, while 10 addressed completed suicides. Low income, unemployment, and financial difficulties were identified as risk factors for all suicidal behaviors. Working in precarious conditions, long working hours, self-employment, changes in employment status, shift work/night-time work, and occupational stress were associated with an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Low educational attainment appears to increase the risk for suicide attempts and completed suicide, but the significance of educational attainment on the reporting of suicidal ideation could not be verified. The primary studies were unable to ascertain whether the place of residence impacts on suicidal behaviors. Conclusions The results highlight the relevance of socioeconomic factors for suicidal behaviors in South Korea. Governmental social spending must be increased and redirected more efficiently so that the economically most vulnerable groups are financially protected and income inequality does not widen. Furthermore, comprehensive prevention strategies at the community level are needed. Future research needs to focus on identifying vulnerable groups for whom the effects of low socioeconomic status may have particularly serious consequences with regard to suicidal behaviors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12498-1.
Collapse
|
12
|
Donnelly HK, Richardson D, Solberg SV. Understanding Somatic Symptoms Associated with South Korean Adolescent Suicidal Ideation, Depression, and Social Anxiety. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11110151. [PMID: 34821612 PMCID: PMC8615240 DOI: 10.3390/bs11110151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Korea's suicide rate has increased steadily in recent years and it has become the leading cause of death among Korean youth. This paper aims to propose suicide risk identification strategies for South Korean youth by identifying profiles of suicide risk alongside reported somatic complaints. For several reasons, somatic complaints are more commonly reported than mental health concerns in Korea, where somatic complaints are likely to be representative of larger mental health worries. Nationally representative data of Korean first-year middle school students were used to identify mental health profiles by examining reported suicidal ideation, depression, and social anxiety and the prediction effect of reported somatic symptoms within these profiles. Results indicated that female students reported a greater level of suicidal ideation, depression, and social anxiety compared to male students. Each gender (females and males) exhibited five different mental health profile groups, which ranged from low risk to high risk. Somatic symptoms (sleep, stomach ache, tiredness, breathing, appetite, headache, fever, nausea) significantly predicted each profile group, with sleep issues serving as the strongest predictor for risk across both genders and all groups. Therefore, for mental health professionals working with Korean youth, it is encouraged to identify and recognize somatic complaints as potentially representative of mental health concerns and suicidality risk.
Collapse
|
13
|
Na KS, Park SC, Kwon SJ, Kim M, Kim HJ, Baik M, Seol J, An EJ, Lee SM, Lee EJ, Lim M, Cho SJ, Kim GH, Kim N, Jeon HJ, Paik JW, Oh KS, Lee HY. Contents of the Standardized Suicide Prevention Program for Gatekeeper Intervention in Korea, Version 2.0. Psychiatry Investig 2020; 17:1149-1157. [PMID: 33190455 PMCID: PMC7711111 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2020.0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide is a huge nationwide problem that incurs a lot of socio-economic costs. Suicide also inflicts severe distress on the people left behind. The government of the Republic of Korea has been making many policy efforts to reduce suicide rate. The gatekeeper program, 'Suicide CARE', is one of the meaningful modalities for preventing suicide. METHODS Multidisciplinary research team collaborated to update the 'Suicide CARE' to version 2.0. RESULTS In the 'Introductory part', the authors have the time to think about the necessity and significance of the program before conducting full-scale gatekeeper training. In the 'Careful observation' part, trainees learn how to understand and recognize the various linguistic, behavioral, and situational signals that a person shows before committing suicide. In the 'Active listening' part, trainees learn how to ask suicide with a value-neutral attitude as well listening empathetically. In the 'Risk evaluation and Expert referral' part, trainees learn intervening strategies to identify a person's suicidal intention, plan, and past suicide attempts, and connect the person to appropriate institutes or services. CONCLUSION Subsequent studies should be conducted to verify the efficacy of the gatekeeper program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University College of Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Cheol Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Jung Kwon
- Suicide Prevention Center, Republic of Korea Air Force, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjae Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Jun Kim
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungjae Baik
- Gyeonggi Provincial Mental Health Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinmi Seol
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ji An
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Min Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Lee
- Department of Social Welfare, Suwon Science College, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Meerae Lim
- Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Joon Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Hun Kim
- Korea Association for Suicide Prevention, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nari Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Jin Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Woo Paik
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Korea Suicide Prevention Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Seob Oh
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Young Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kim DW, Cho SE, Kang JM, Woo SK, Kang SG, Yeon BK, Cho SJ. Risk Factors for Serious Suicide Attempts: Difference Between Older and Younger Attempters in the Emergency Department. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:607811. [PMID: 33488429 PMCID: PMC7820120 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.607811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Suicide attempts of the older adults are known to be more serious than that of the younger adults. Despite its major social impact in South Korea, the behavioral mechanism of serious suicide attempt (SSA) in old people remains to be elucidated. Thus, we investigated the risk factors for SSA in older and younger suicide attempters in the emergency department. Methods: Demographic data, clinical information, and the level of seriousness of suicide with Risk Rescue Rating Scale were compared between older (age ≥65) and younger (age <65) adults who visited the emergency department for a suicide attempt. Regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for SSA in these two groups. Results: Among 370 patients, 37 were older adults (10%; aged 74.41 ± 6.78), more likely to have another medical disease (p < 0.001), and a higher suicide completion rate (16.2 vs. 5.4%, p = 0.023). In the younger group, old age (B = 0.090, p < 0.001), male sex (B = -0.038, p = 0.019), and impression of schizophrenia (B = 0.074, p = 0.027) were associated with a higher risk-rescue ratio and interpersonal stress condition was associated with a lower risk-rescue ratio (B = -0.045, p = 0.006). In the older group, however, no variables were included significant in the regression model for the Risk Rescue Rating Scale. Conclusions: Demographic and clinical factors such as old age, male sex, interpersonal stress, and impression of schizophrenia were associated with lethality in the younger suicide attempters. However, no factors were associated with SSA in the older adult group. Different mechanisms may underly the lethality in old age suicide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wook Kim
- College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Seo Eun Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jae Myeong Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Soo Kyun Woo
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Gul Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Byeong Kil Yeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Suwon Hospital, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Seong-Jin Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|