Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ramanujan88]

I know mental health is not a big thing in Korea, but can you really get legally fired from teaching if, say, you went to a counselor? I'm not talking about having a mental disease. But just to vent or get a professional opinion. That's consider fine, even responsible in America. Is it really dangerous to your job in Korea?

[northway]

Potentially, but it really depends on the school. My hagwon was pretty accepting of mental stuff, but they also wouldn't want to have someone with serious mental disorders on staff. If, for example, you had a breakup or a family member died and you wanted to go talk to someone, they would have been very supportive. If you had depression or anger issues, probably not so much. A lot of schools, particularly in rural areas, might be less accepting of the former as well.

[hogwonguy1979]

it's really on a case by case basis. I've heard some employers being perfectly OK with it as long as it doesn't really affect your job. Others I've heard the opposite, people have been fired over this.

Biggest problem is Korean attitudes towards mental illness, I'd say in this regard Korea is in the 1950's on this. Don't get me on their views on major depression and adult ADHD to say its backasswards is an understatement.

My advice here is the same with any medical condition above the flu and that includes things like high blood pressure or cholesterol . Don't breathe a word to anybody associated with your job and that includes foreign co-workers. I'd also see dr, therapists etc a long ways from your employer as medical privacy is a joke there outside the major international clinics.

[Yaya]

Korea has a major mental illness problem caused by the culture, stress and a host of other factors yet treats victims as if they had HIV. Never mind the rapidly aging population and the consequently growing number of mental diseases like dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

If you've had any mental counseling or the like, tell no one in Korea except people you can trust. I remember hearing something interesting: when one has cancer, people flock to you in droves in sympathy, but if one has a mental illness, they stay away.

[jazzmaster]

I have stomach problems so I have to take a lot of probiotics and antispasmodics. Once a doctor referred me to a mental health doctor because stress aggravates my symptoms. The mental health clinic has their own pharmacy so people can keep their illness secret. I think that's a good indicator of how to approach the situation.

The mental health doctor gave me a load of pills but I only lasted a week. I was drowsy and lacked clarity of thought. Some Korean doctors tend to over prescribe so be careful.

I still have stomach problems and take the relevant drugs (buscopan and probiotics), but I don't take any pills for mental health problems. I also avoid a lot of Korean food and all Korean alcohol, which seems to help. If you've been diagnosed previously then that's cool, but if a Korean doctor has diagnosed you I wouldn't take it as gospel. They were way off the mark with me.

[cj1976]

Lufthansa found out the hard way how serious mental illness can be if left unchecked.

[Qonny]

[Chaparrastique]

[jazzmaster]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[jazzmaster]

[FDNY]

Every doctor in Korea has access to an NHS database that shows exactly
what other doctors have prescribed for you. There are no secrets here. I
guess they don't want individuals making trips to different doctors collecting
scrips for the same medicines.

[joelove]

[young_clinton]

If you have a serious mental disorder there are plenty of jobs available cleaning the tables at McDonald's, picking up trays etc. You might try Walmart picking up the grocery baskets in the parking lot although that job usually goes to felons. If you want to work at a decent position usually it's best not to tell people about your history, you don't have to.