Suicides severely affect family members' health

By Lee Kyung-min

Three out of four people who lost loved ones to suicide suffer from depression, government data showed Monday.

Statistics were released amid increased awareness following recent online messages posted by Choi Jun-hee, the 14-year-old daughter of Choi Jin-sil who committed suicide in 2008.

The girl posted numerous comments on social media, alleging that her maternal grandmother had been physically and verbally abusing her since she was in elementary school.

According to the study conducted by Seoul National University commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of 72 family members of people who have committed suicide, when multiple answers were allowed, 75 percent said they were depressed and had no interest in life.

They suffered from insomnia (69 percent), anxiety attacks (65 percent), rage (65 percent) and difficulty concentrating (60 percent). Of the total, 11 people were admitted to hospital due to mental distress.

They also suffered physical manifestations of the distress.

Of the total, three out of five had heart palpitations or shortness of breath (60 percent), while 57 percent had headaches and 53 percent suffered fatigue, muscle cramps or back pain.

More than half had eye strain or tinnitus (51 percent) and 43 percent suffered from stomach aches or indigestion.

Eighteen percent were hospitalized for stomach ulcers, gastritis or high blood pressure.

Thirty-one respondents said they seriously considered committing suicide. Nine were at high risk of actually taking their own lives. Of the 31, 21 had actually attempted to commit suicide and 16 had planned it out in detail.

About 70 percent of the respondents said the first year is the hardest time for families bereaved by suicide.

Seventy-six percent said they experienced extreme hardships during the period, as they stopped having conversations, blamed the death on each other and were left feeling guilty. Parents became heavily dependent on and obsessive over surviving children.

Seventy-two percent said group therapy with those who had similar experiences helped. Others relied on family members and relatives (60 percent) for emotional support. More than half said state-run suicide prevention centers helped them manage their lives.

The ministry and Life Insurance Philanthropy Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to offer up to 3 million won ($2,700) in financial support for those bereaved by suicide.