Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seoul'n'Corea]

I am working for a PS in Eastern Seoul, and everything here is pretty good except that one of my 5 co-teachers mental state isn't doing so well. Recently I found her on one of my spare blocks crying manically and muttering to herself about ending it. I also discovered that she isn't eating anything. Poor woman.

I have now had a talk with her about stuff.

sounds like the schools christian compassion is telling her that she is useless and they pile more work on top of her.


Wow, this country has NO IDEA how to properly deal with severe depression and other severe mental illnesses at all. She needs support from her staff, not ridicule!


Any other experiences out there of this kind of stuff at PS or Hogwans?
share your stories please, I want to hear them!

[Kaypea]

That makes me sad.

The head teacher at my last place (hogwan) was anorexic, I think, and didn't sleep much, and was away sick quite a lot. She wasn't generally an endearing person, but I felt sorry for her nonetheless.

[Goku]

I think if you show her you care... but not pity her...

she would be happy.

She probably needs an outlet for someone to listen to her problems. but she has none.

[buildbyflying]

You can tell her to get counseling... wait that doesn't exist in this country.

[Kaypea]

Yeah, I want to help her!

Would making plans with her on the weekend help? Nothing that would take her out of her (dis)comfort zone, maybe an activity, like a movie, or bowling, or a hike.

But, one Saturday friend date won't cure her.

Is there really no acceptable counselling?

[korea.teacher]

When someone expresses suicide ideation , it's a cry for help...and with Korea having the highest suicide rate among OECD countries it's not something to be taken lightly.

After reading your post, I called the Seoul Global Center and they gave me the suicide hotline for Korean citizens. It's 1588-9191.

PLEASE get her to call immediately. Emphasize that it is private, Although her situation seems desperate to her, counselors can help her realize that she has choices.

It was very good-hearted of you to bring up her situation and to try and comfort her, but from what you described she needs to see a professional immediately.

[lookingforworkinasia]

Buy her something nice and tell her what a great job she's doing. I have a co-teacher who is being seriously taken advantage of by her school, and she tells me sometimes about how unhappy she is and how she wants to quit. I always buy her little gifts and tell her what a good job she's doing.

Just having someone let her know they appreciate her, and care, might be what she needs.

Don't you just hate seeing how bad things happen to your nice, co-operative coworkers, and then the dickheads get put in charge...

That burns me up.

[Faunaki]

[buildbyflying]

I'd be hesitant to actually advise counseling, as that's a big taboo, and embarrassment is the last thing you ant to add to the pot... I don't know. Tread carefully.
Are there any support groups for this kind of thing here? Anon and the like?

[mimis]

I know a very kind and open-minded Korean lady who is an experienced counselor at a Korean university here in Seoul. She has specific experience with suicidal people. She councels mostly the students of that uni, but they also have room for regular people. There is help out there, you just need to know how to find it. If your co-teacher would like to talk to a Korean councelor, perhaps I could ask my friend if she could help? Just a thought.

Good luck anyways, and I agree with previous posters, show her how much YOU appreciate her, by telling her often and small gifts (why not) and maybe even taking her out to a comfortable place occasionally. At least that might give her some consolance and a feeling of being appreciated.

[Seoul'n'Corea]

[Xuanzang]

[maximmm]

Last year, in 2007, a group of Taiwan researchers from Taichung's Chung Shan Medical University discovered that banana peel extract can be used to treat depression. Banana peels contain seratonin, a brain chemical which is responsible for maintaining mood elevation. Serotonin can be released by boiling the banana peels in water and then drinking the solution, or by juicing the banana peels in a blender or juicer and then drinking the juice. Evenings appear to be the best time to drink this concoction. Another interesting tidbit is that banana peel also contains lutein, which is a powerful antioxidant important for eye health. The same Taiwan researchers found that banana peels can also help to prevent the retina of the eye from damage and degeneration. The only danger in eating bananas or drinking the juice from the peels would be to someone who has a latex or rubber allergy.

http://www.healthynewage.com/fine-gifts.htm

[matthews_world]

I outta try the banana peel trick. I already drink protein shakes with bananas after working out so the extra peel might do some wonder.


On the same note, I've got this 4th-grade co-teacher that I'll call "Lumpy". He has no business in front of students. He lectures, reads from the book, and tries to pass it off with his limited English. He has no force in the classroom. The students scream, yell, and walk all over him. I have trouble even trying to plan new lessons with him due to his poor English and listlessness. He also teaches Art which he's more well-suited for. What a waste of taxpayer money. How'd this guy get a teaching license I'd never know.

[Seoul'n'Corea]