People wait in line to get tested for COVID-19 at a screening center in southeastern Seoul on Sept. 30, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — An increasing number of South Koreans are suffering from the “corona blues,” which refers to depression caused by the coronavirus outbreak that began in the country in January 2020.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted a nationwide survey of 2,063 adults between the ages of 19 and 71, which showed that 18.9 percent were facing a high risk of depression in the fourth quarter (December) of last year.
While 3.9 percentage points lower than last year’s first quarter (22.8 percent), the December survey average was 0.4 percentage points higher than last year’s third quarter (18.5 percent).
Respondents in their 30s scored 6.4 points in terms of the risk of depression, which was 1.5 times higher than those in their 60s (4.2 points), who scored the lowest among all age groups.
Among those in their 30s, 27.8 percent were facing a high risk of depression, which was almost twice as high as the rate among 60-somethings (13.8 percent).
Women scored 5.7 points in terms of risk of depression, surpassing men (4.4 points), with 23.1 percent of women facing a severe risk of depression. For men, only 14.9 percent faced a high risk of depression.
The score of depression risk (7 points) and proportion included in the depressive group (33 percent) was the highest among women in their 30s.
Respondents in their 30s demonstrated the highest level of suicidal intent (18.3 percent), followed by those in their 20s (17.3 percent).
Among respondents in their 30s, 13.6 percent said they had no one around to help them face their psychological difficulties, which was also the highest among all age groups.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
