Seoul, Aug 6 (IANS) The number of South Koreans taking their own lives jumped 10.1 per cent in 2024, government data showed on Tuesday.
A total of 6,375 people committed suicide in the first five months of this year, compared with an estimated 13,770 for all of 2023, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Yonhap news agency reported.
The ministry assessed that the jump in the number of suicides this year may be attributable to social isolation, economic hardship and depression in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, a so-called copycat suicide effect may be a factor after a famous person committed suicide in December last year.
South Korea’s suicide rate was the highest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development members, reporting 24.1 cases for every 100,000 people as of 2020, over twice the average of 10.7.
On Tuesday, the ministry held a regular meeting with relevant ministries and civic groups to discuss measures to prevent people from taking their own lives.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is a major public health concern.
Every year, over 7,03,000 people take their lives worldwide, with 77 per cent of the suicides happening in middle and low-income countries and the vulnerable age group being the 15-29 year olds.
Mental illnesses, financial problems, relationship breakdowns, chronic pain, conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss all increase the risk of suicide.
Refugees, migrants, indigenous peoples, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people and prisoners are particularly vulnerable.
These problems can be avoided with timely, evidence-based, and often low-cost interventions.
Suicide prevention efforts necessitate coordination and collaboration across multiple sectors of society, including health, education, labour, agriculture, business, justice, law, defence, politics, and the media.
–IANS
ts/dan
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
