‘고립’ ‘가족돌봄 부담’ 자살 고위험군 발굴…저소득층 긴급복지 지원도

The government is implementing measures to identify and support high-risk households at risk of suicide, with a focus on low-income families and those caring for elderly or disabled individuals. The plan involves classifying households based on isolation levels and applying weight to crisis information to prioritize suicide prevention efforts.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the "Caregiver and Caregiving Burden Suicide Prevention Measures" and the "Isolation and Crisis Household Suicide Prevention Measures" during a meeting of the National Security Council on November 11th. Health and Welfare Secretary Jeong Eun-kyeong explained that the system will apply weight to self-harm and attempted suicide data to prioritize suicide risk households and enhance economic support for low-income families.

The plan also includes providing emergency caregiving support, including daily visits of up to 72 hours, to high-risk households. Additionally, mental health counseling through community-integrated services and financial assistance for households experiencing financial crises will be provided. For young adults experiencing isolation, tailored programs will be offered to prevent isolation-related suicide.

The government plans to expand the crisis intervention system to cover 17 cities in 2023, with a focus on 50-60-year-old men who are particularly vulnerable to isolation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is also developing a specialized program for middle-aged individuals to help them reestablish daily routines after working as social welfare employees.

The use of artificial intelligence to create an integrated platform for crisis household detection and response is being reviewed to streamline information management. The president of the Korean Association for Suicide Prevention, Bahk Jong-woo, emphasized the importance of direct meetings with high-risk individuals to assess their needs and make tailored service connections.

He also highlighted the need for improved mechanisms to enable on-the-spot service provision for those who may refuse help due to desperation.