South Korea: 146 students committed suicide last year

• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-02-09 07:26

  
  A total of 146 students committed suicide last year, marking the eighth consecutive year that the number is over 100.
  
  The figure is a fall from the all-time high of 202 in 2009, but it is still considered excessive in a country with one of the lowest birthrates in the world.
  
  According to a report by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Sunday, the majority of the deaths stemmed from family troubles. Forty-six students, or 31.5 percent, took their own lives because of family problems, while 38, or 26 percent, killed themselves without leaving a clear reason. Other motives were poor school grades, relationship issues and financial instability at home.
  
  To counter the rise in suicides and deal with concerns associated with depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on school grounds, the ministry plans to expand its psychological assessment program and have all elementary, middle and high school students tested as part of the scheme through next year.
  
  Held in 1,126 selected schools last year, the tests will be conducted in 4,300 this year and finally in all schools in 2012. The ministry is also handing out booklets and manuals detailing how to prevent and cope with student suicides starting this March.
  
  The number of student suicides reached 100 in 2003 and has steadily increased since then.
  
  

  
  
  

  작년 학생 146명 자살…`줄었지만 위험수위'
  
  
  지난해 스스로 목숨을 끊은 초•중•고교생이 모두 146명으로 집계돼 2003년부터 8년째 세 자릿수를 기록한 것으로 나타났다.
  
  그러나 사상 처음 200명을 넘었던 2009년(202명)보다는 27.7% 줄었다.
  
  6일 교육과학기술부가 집계한 학생 자살사망 현황에 따르면 2010년 학생 자살자는 146명이며 원인별로는 가정불화가 46명(31.5%)으로 가장 큰 비중을 차지했다.
  
  이어 염세•비관 28명(19.2%), 성적비관 18명(12.3%), 이성관계 10명(6.8%), 실직•부도•궁핍 등 가정형편 5명(3.4%) 순이었으며 원인을 알 수 없는 자살 학생도 38명(26.0%)이나 돼 좀 더 세심한 청소년 자살예방 대책이 시급한 것으로 지적됐다.
  
  연도별 자살현황을 보면 2003년 100명을 기록한 이후 2004년 101명, 2005년 135명, 2006년 108명, 2007년 142명, 2008년 137명 등으로 매년 100명 이상의 학생이 스스로 목숨을 끊었다.
  
  교과부는 이처럼 성장기 학생들에게 우울, 불안, 자살, 주의력결핍과잉행동(ADHD) 등 정서•행동 문제가 잇따라 발생함에 따라 학생정신건강 검진 사업을 확대해 내년까지 전국의 모든 초•중•고교를 대상으로 정신건강검사를 벌이겠다는 방침이다.
  
  지난해 1천126개교를 대상으로 실시한 선별검사를 올해는 4천300개교로 확대하고 내년에는 모든 학교로 보급한다는 계획이다.
  
  교과부는 올해 3월 새 학기가 시작되면 학생 자살예방 및 위기관리 매뉴얼을 개발해 전국 초•중•고교에 보급하기로 했다.

  
  
  http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/117_80889.html
  
  Despite government efforts, it's not likely to change within 10 years.
  The way education there is now,
  students have to attend hagwons, or private schools, since elementary school in order to "get somewhere."
• Athde wrote on 2011-02-09 07:44
  Reminds of a certain forest...
  
  Oh yeah Aokigahara.
• Chihaya wrote on 2011-02-09 13:40
  Pathetic...
  I'm Korean, but the fact that you need to step over your limits to even be a competition is just stupid
• Cucurbita wrote on 2011-02-09 15:12
  Not surprised one bit.
  
  And as far as I'm concerned, 99% of Koreans don't believe in "depression" or "anxiety" or "adhd".
  When they hear "he's got mental issues", they all say "whip them up, yell at them, send them to army training camp, and it'll make them 'wake up' from their excuse filled days"
  
  People are so hard on teens and young adults there.
• Mama wrote on 2011-02-09 18:37
  T.T ....
  
  sigh.
  
  I'm glad they're trying to educate people about it at least..
• Sunureu13 wrote on 2011-02-09 19:16

  Quote from Cucurbita;327319:

  People are so hard on teens and young adults there.

  
  
  They damn well should be. Just take a look at any high school or college campus. Or at a local mall. Or in the parking lot of a BK or Taco Bell. Or in a juvenile detention facility. Or across the street.
• Wing wrote on 2011-02-09 19:22
  Depressing .
• paladin wrote on 2011-02-10 01:58
  I dont think korean students will even notice this stuff
  Their too busy going more study more study
  Must get best grade and beat other people must get money must get job
  I would call the Koreans study zombies
• Phunkie wrote on 2011-02-10 02:01

  Quote from Sunureu13;327631:

  They damn well should be. Just take a look at any high school or college campus. Or at a local mall. Or in the parking lot of a BK or Taco Bell. Or in a juvenile detention facility. Or across the street.

  
  
  Sooooooo glad I don't live there.
• Mentosftw wrote on 2011-02-10 02:08
  So many heros
• Taycat wrote on 2011-02-10 02:11
  I don't blame them.
  
  I mean, the fact they get so stressed they have to do this.....