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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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 Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject: S Korea tackles high suicide rate |
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6380305.stm
The article says "tackles"-- I'd venture to replace it with "approaches with a 10 ft. pole."
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Now South Korean health officials say they are planning a range of measures to tackle the problem - which they have blamed on an economic downturn and rapid social change.
Although details of the campaign have yet to be finalised, they plan to expand counselling facilities and launch a drive to educate people about the risks of depression.
They also want to tackle the growing number of internet sites that explain how to take your own life and in some cases encourage people to do so.
Other measures under discussion include putting up high fences on bridges and tall buildings and making farm chemicals that are often used in suicides less toxic.
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The article fails to mention any recent celebrity suicides other than "Yuni" which is odd. However, it's obviously an enormously important issue and any steps that can be taken to address it are welcome.
Personally, I think the most important step will be destigmatising "depression" and making treatment more available. In Korea, to admit to being chronically depressed or god forbid, taking anti-depressives, is like admitting to being a puppy-raper. No wonder people aren't coping-- there's nowhere to turn.
p.s. my apologies if this has already been posted. I imagine it probably has, but I can't find it, and I want to talk about it. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: S Korea tackles high suicide rate |
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| kermo wrote: |
| In Korea, to admit to being chronically depressed or god forbid, taking anti-depressives, is like admitting to being a puppy-raper |
Where'd your mind get that parallel.  You sick puppy.
Koreans couldn't care less how dogs are treated. |
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denistron
Joined: 21 Oct 2006
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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This article is depressing. Suicide time!  |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| That BBC article wrote: |
| South Korea hopes it can follow the example of Finland - which cut suicides by a third in just over a decade. |
I wish the article would tell us what Finland did to reduce its suicide rate by such a large percentage in a relatively short time. |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| cdninkorea wrote: |
| That BBC article wrote: |
| South Korea hopes it can follow the example of Finland - which cut suicides by a third in just over a decade. |
I wish the article would tell us what Finland did to reduce its suicide rate by such a large percentage in a relatively short time. |
No kidding. They had a huge problem with middle-aged men just checking out. The lack of sunshine for so much of the year doesn't help either. |
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diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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In the end, I envision a typical Korean solution...pay off doctors to fudge the 'Cause of Death' section on the death certificate.
I can see the headlines now:
"Suicides Down 80%, Officials Worried About Sharp Increase in Fan Death" |
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The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| I once told my Korean coworker that I'm a bit of an introvert. She didn't know what that meant so we looked it up on an electronic dictionary. Apparently in Korean 'introvert' translates to something like 'a person of womanly character'. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a solution for Korea:
-Don't glamorise celebrities who commit suicide.
-Don't blame the friends of the victim. Suicide is only the result of one sick mind.
That would be a start. |
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Zolt
Joined: 18 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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So they want to prevent suicide for middle aged men?
Mmmm... cheaper room salons? |
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dalpengi
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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Limit access to alcohol. Increase the price of soju by taxing it and use the money for promoting mental health awareness. People in Korea seem to think that alcohol is there to help them deal with their problems. It�s not.
I feel like hypocrite writing this because when I was in Korea I drank more than your average waygook. however, this doesn't change the fact that alcohol is a depressant. |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: S Korea tackles high suicide rate |
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| kermo wrote: |
Personally, I think the most important step will be destigmatising "depression" and making treatment more available. In Korea, to admit to being chronically depressed or god forbid, taking anti-depressives, is like admitting to being a puppy-raper. No wonder people aren't coping-- there's nowhere to turn. |
A psychotherapist friend says that though his office is in Apkujeong, his clients are mostly from Mokdong, Ilsan, etc. Many don't put meds on their national health insurance due to fears that their employers see it. In addition, no one is allowed to see their clients coming into their waiting room. It's as if they're the elephant man, or something. I thought therapy was to help rid people of shame?! 
Anyway, I'm hoping that many Koreans come to realize that superficial material possessions, jonesing to be king of the hill does not necessarily guarantee happiness. Wish them the best. |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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| dalpengi wrote: |
| ...however, this doesn't change the fact that alcohol is a depressant. |
I've always said that sojutherapy doesn't work. A person just ends up feeling worse. A nice cup of jasmine herbal tea will go much further IMHO. |
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swetepete
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Location: a limp little burg
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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They could try a prize program like they did with the 'anti-prostitution' campaign last December, and offer a big cash reward to the company with the least suicides. Imagine the fun little rallies they could have after work--here's a chant they could use:
"c'mon, now, don't be so glum! Whack yourself and you're a bum!
Everything'll be all right! Don't be rushing endless night!
We're all wormfood anyway, but not until we get our pay!
Yaaaaay." (group hug.)
In all seriousness though, maybe a suicide crisis anonymous hot-line thingie might help. Or government sponsored psychotherapy maybe? |
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Troll_Bait
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: [T]eaching experience doesn't matter much. -Lee Young-chan (pictured)
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6380305.stm
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Other measures under discussion include putting up high fences on bridges and tall buildings and making farm chemicals that are often used in suicides less toxic.
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Yeah, build fences on rooftops, that'll work. I'm sorry to say this, but that is such a typically Korean solution -superficial and ineffective, but hey, it looks good, doesn't it? It gives the appearance of having tried to do something, without really having tried.
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Personally, I think the most important step will be destigmatising "depression" and making treatment more available. In Korea, to admit to being chronically depressed or god forbid, taking anti-depressives, is like admitting to being a puppy-raper. No wonder people aren't coping-- there's nowhere to turn.
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This is spot-on. I think Kermo uses the phrase "slice of fried gold."
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Here's a solution for Korea:
-Don't glamorise celebrities who commit suicide.
-Don't blame the friends of the victim. Suicide is only the result of one sick mind.
That would be a start. |
I don't think they're glamorising Ms. Jeong or U;nee. They do most certainly glamourise alcohol. Have you ever watched Korean television or movies? They drink alcohol when they're happy. They drink alcohol when they're sad. It's the one and only solution to all their problems. Moreover, drunken behaviour is excused. Not too long ago, a Korean politician fondled a young female reporter. His excuse? That he had too much to drink. And this is typical. People can be obnoxious, aggressive, or commit sexual harassment, and they'll be excused if they're drunk.
Harpeau:
Thanks for your posts. |
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dalpengi
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Troll_Bait wrote: |
They do most certainly glamourise alcohol. Have you ever watched Korean television or movies? They drink alcohol when they're happy. They drink alcohol when they're sad. It's the one and only solution to all their problems. |
Yeah, it�s really sad that lots of people think that drink will ease the pain.
I remember in one of my last classes in Korea, the exercise we were working on had all the students list items they would take with them if they knew they were to spend a year on a deserted island. The items were divided into categories (e.g. food, drink) and each category was limited to 3 items.
One student, very bright girl who was 15, listed water, cider and beer. When I asked her why she listed beer, she said because she knew she would be sad so she would drink beer to feel better. Perhaps if I were going to live on a deserted island I�d pick beer as well. So I asked her whether in normal life (forgetting the island) she would also drink beer when sad (after reaching 1 and she said, �yes, I think everyone does�. |
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