Suicide in Korea and the search for happiness

By Chung Eun-jung

In Korea, the high suicide rate in conjunction with decreasing fertility is now a serious problem at a national level.

According to OECD data, the suicide rate in Korea has increased the most among OECD nations over a ten year period between 2002 and 2012 and is the highest rate among that group. After excluding senior citizens, the main causes of suicide are relationship problems and depression. Senior citizens on the other hand commit suicide mostly due to illness and loneliness associated with financial burdens.

Modern society suffers from various mental ailments that are often ignored. Instead of seeking help from properly trained medical professionals, people often avoid confronting the underlying causes of their problems. Some seek solace through benign outlets such as exercise, religion, or charitable pursuits. Others engage in self-destructive behavior such as excessive shopping, binge eating/drinking and sexual promiscuity. The simplest notions of projection and defensive behavior should be impossible to miss.

The post-war generation was forced to focus primarily on economic security and prosperity, placing less emphasis on individual happiness. With the increasing success and wealth of Korea today, the younger generation has the luxury and curse of pondering their own daily happiness.

Despite how some Buddhist monks indoctrinate their pupils, people do not make a choice to be born. Korean parents force their children to thank them for delivering them into the world and emphasize filial piety throughout their lives. On the surface, this surely is a beautiful belief, but it is far from reality for most people. Family conflicts are quite common.

Whether it is fighting between siblings or parents placing too much pressure on their children’s academic performance, family relationships are often the source of much suffering and anguish. Many children commit suicide due to peer pressures and ruthless bullies in school, in addition to strict discipline from parents who do not share their children’s deep sense of loneliness.

A lack of understanding or an inability to communicate with mutual respect often exists in Korea, ranging from households right up to the government. Condescending mannerisms among people also cause great strife – this can often end in tragedy when solutions that could have been easily attainable are ignored. The incumbent President’s campaign pledge to make the country happier seems misplaced when considering the increasing suicide rate.

Korea is a great example that wealth and happiness do not necessarily go hand in hand. One must never forget that glorifying “the miracle on the Han river” has not changed the increasing number of people who jump off the Mapo Bridge into that same river. So now the question is not “How are you going to make this country happier?” The appropriate question really is “Are we ever going to be sufficiently happy?” I believe there is no simple, universal answer to life; everyone has their own path and destiny regardless of one’s belief.

We need healing as a country from the top down. To do so, human beings need to depend on each other. Suicide prevention can only be achieved by recognition and comprehensive approaches at the national level. Seeking psychological help is not a shameful choice, but an informed, practical decision in seeking a long, full life.

Korea needs more properly trained, certified experts in advanced healing and counseling techniques that are actually beneficial to people as well as quality services, both private and public. I believe that people do want to choose life. Both individuals and nations must listen to the current levels of human agony and despair.

In Western society, seeing a mental health professional is similar to a Korean making an appointment with a personal trainer or masseuse. It is increasingly seen as a part of a normal, modern life and carries less social stigma than ever before.

The writer is the founder of Ms. English, a women’s study group. Her email address is chung_eun_jung@yahoo.co.kr.