Depressive episodes are characterized by mood deterioration, loss of energy, and decreased activity, with severe cases significantly disrupting daily life. (Image courtesy of Pexels/CCL)
SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of individuals experiencing moderate to severe depression and recurrent depressive disorder in South Korea has surged nearly 13% over the past two years, reversing a previous decline, according to government data.
A report released on February 16 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s National Center for Mental Health and Statistics Korea revealed that 8,103 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe depressive episodes or recurrent depressive disorder were admitted to psychiatric hospitals in 2024. This marks a 12.5% increase from 7,200 cases in 2022.
The number of such cases had been on a downward trend, dropping from 10,532 in 2018 to 8,143 in 2020. However, the upward trajectory began in 2021 and has continued since.
According to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death, depressive episodes are characterized by mood deterioration, loss of energy, and decreased activity, with severe cases significantly disrupting daily life.
Recurrent depressive disorder involves repeated depressive episodes, often accompanied by brief periods of heightened mood or excessive activity (hypomania) following antidepressant treatment.
This increase in major depressive disorders parallels a broader rise in severe mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The total number of patients with severe psychiatric disorders had declined from 84,583 in 2018 to 71,373 in 2021 but began rising again, reaching 73,311 in 2024.
Additionally, involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations—cases where patients were admitted without their consent by legal guardians or local government officials—have increased. The involuntary admission rate had dropped from 33.5% in 2018 to 32.1% in 2019 but has since climbed annually, reaching 36.5% in 2024.
Among the 31,459 involuntary admissions recorded in 2024, schizophrenia and related disorders accounted for the largest share (12,479 cases), followed by mental and behavioral disorders due to substance use (7,723 cases) and bipolar and other mood disorders (7,284 cases).
While the rise in psychiatric hospitalizations suggests a proactive approach to mental health care, experts highlight a lack of progress in community-based mental health education and rehabilitation efforts.
The proportion of the general population receiving mental health education through community rehabilitation centers has only slightly increased from 3.5% in 2018 to 4.0% in 2024, indicating a persistent gap in preventative care and public awareness.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
