During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, South Korean women in their 30s experienced suicidal impulses at a rate twice that of their male counterparts. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, South Korean women in their 30s experienced suicidal impulses at a rate twice that of their male counterparts, a recent survey has revealed.
Despite awareness of government mental health support projects, over 80% of these individuals hesitated to use services like suicide prevention centers due to concerns about societal perceptions, indicating a need for improvements in related systems.
The Korea Women’s Policy Institute, in its report released on January 24 titled ‘Gendered Perspective on Women’s Mental Health Post-COVID and Policy Improvement,’ highlighted these findings.
The survey of 1,200 adults (500 men and 700 women) showed that 32.4% of women in their 30s experienced suicidal impulses during the pandemic, the highest rate among all age groups.
In contrast, only 17.9% of men in their 30s reported similar experiences. While the overall rates of suicidal impulses were similar between men (18.2%) and women (18.7%), the disparity was notable in the 30s age group.
Regarding the ‘depression experience rate,’ which refers to feelings of prolonged sadness or despair affecting daily life, 30-something women also ranked highest at 65.7%, compared to men of the same age group at the lowest, 35.9%.
Economic changes were cited as the primary reason for considering extreme measures like suicide or self-harm, equally by both men and women. Over 80% of those aware of government mental health initiatives refrained from seeking support, with women being more concerned about societal judgment than men, especially among those in their 20s to 40s.
Researchers note that the high stress and depression symptoms among women in their 30s, especially married women with young children, stem from intensified conflicts in balancing work and family responsibilities during COVID-19.
The team emphasized the urgency of developing mental health services that mitigate societal stigma and cater to women’s specific needs.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
