1 in 14 youths repeat self-harm attempts within 2 months

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One in 14 people aged 24 and under who visit an emergency room in Seoul following a suicide attempt or self-harm returns within two months for the same reason, highlighting the need for stronger postcrisis care for young people.

According to the findings of a joint research team from Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Hospital Boramae Medical Center and Yonsei University College of Medicine, released this month, the 7.1 percent revisit rate was recorded among 1,445 people aged 24 and under who visited Seoul emergency rooms for suicide attempts or self-harm between 2015 and 2022. They made up 32.5 percent of the 4,452 total patients during the period.

Among those aged 24 and under, 75.4 percent were female, with most attempts being impulsive and nonlethal, and 79.4 percent were discharged home.

The study also identified several factors associated with higher revisit risk. Women were 1.93 times more likely than men to return, while the risk faced by those living alone was 1.57 times higher. A history of psychiatric treatment raised the risk by 2.41 times, and a prior history of suicide attempts or self-harm by 1.54 times.

The findings come as suicide has remained the leading cause of death among Korean youth for 14 consecutive years since 2011, claiming more than three times as many young lives as safety accidents did in 2024.

According to youth statistics released by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family last week, the number of deaths among those aged 9 to 24 stood at 1,749 in 2024. Suicide was the leading cause at 10.9 deaths per 100,000, followed by safety accidents at 3.3 and cancer at 2.6.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, contact Korea's Suicide Crisis hotline at 109. For foreign language assistance to connect with mental health professionals, call Danuri Portal's helpline at 1577-1366.