50.4 percent of those who attempted suicide were drunk. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Aug. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Roughly 50 percent of South Koreans who attempt suicide do so while they are drunk, a recent study has revealed.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Suicide Prevention Center conducted a study of 21,545 people from 16 cities and provinces who were transferred to the emergency room after a failed attempt to commit suicide.
The study showed that there were more women (12,899) than men (8,646), and those in their 20s tended to attempt suicide the most (23 percent).
In addition, 50.4 percent of those who attempted suicide were drunk, and 87.8 percent of were carried away by a sudden impulse to commit suicide.
The rate of planned suicide increased among older people.
Roughly one third were driven by mental symptoms to commit suicide. For those in their 70s, physical illness also contributed to the decision to attempt suicide.
The data also showed that 36.8 percent of women had no intention to die, and simply wanted to call out for help. On the other hand, 38.2 percent of men fully intended to die, and picked the necessary methods to do so.
“People with past suicide attempts are 20 to 30 times more likely than others to attempt it again,” said Seo Il-hwan, head of the suicide prevention policy department at the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
