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May 26, 2009
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| Lee Myung-soo, 40, a psychiatrist and the director of the Seoul Mental Health Center, said suicide can be prevented if the media do not report suicide cases as much. With the suicide of the late President Roh Moo-hyun, Lee was worried about the so-called Werther effect, referring to copycat suicides after a person considered a role model or socially influential takes his life. “Suicide is contagious,” Lee said. “Roh was a very influential person and his death is likely to affect many people, especially those who shared his ideology.” Lee’s concern is that more people might think of suicide as a way of running away from problems. “If the media do not report suicide, the number of suicides would drop.” Another worry is that the number of suicides in Korea might be a lot higher. “There are quite a few deaths of undetermined cause. Suicide may account for many of the undetermined deaths,” Lee said, explaining that suicide carries a huge social stigma, which might compel family members to hush up the real cause of death. Lee said no matter how hard the counselors try, they cannot prevent every suicide. It is very difficult to stop someone if he or she has decided on a course of action, Lee said. Suicides by the elderly often come under this category. According to the National Statistical Office, the suicide rate of men and women over 60 was the highest, at 30.3 per 100,000 among all age groups between 2002 and 2006. The suicide rate among seniors is also rising fast. What the center can prevent are suicide attempts caused by depression or impulsive attempts, Lee said. “Active listening by counselors is very effective to prevent impulsive suicide,” Lee said. “People call and talk about their problems while we carefully listen to them. Some even thank us before they hang up.” Lee Myung-soo, a psychiatrist, is the director of the Seoul Suicide Prevention Center. [JoongAng Ilbo] |
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