Korea launches online counseling service for suicide prevention

This undated photo shows a suicide prevention message at the Mapo bridge. Korea Times file

The health ministry on Tuesday launched an online counseling service for those with suicidal thoughts as part of effort to address the serious mental health problem, officials said.

The app Madlan, which means an online friend who listens to you, provides consultation services round-the-clock starting on the day, according to the ministry.

The service is also available via mobile messaging app KakaoTalk, it added.

The government has already operated the "109" suicide and crisis hotline to prevent suicide.

Korea reports the highest suicide rate among member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

In 2020, the number of suicides per every 100,000 Koreans came to 24.1, compared with 38 OECD member nations' average of 11.3.

Last year, 13,770 people took their own lives in Korea, up 6.7 percent from a year earlier, government data showed. (Yonhap)