讀後心得

Patients with mental illness in South Korea often lack follow-up treatment and support after being discharged, leading to a suicide rate higher than that of other economically developed countries. Reports indicate that the suicide rate among mental illness patients in South Korea is the highest in the world, with 27.3 individuals per 100,000 taking their own lives, and 40% of suicides being associated with mental illness. Experts analyze that the lack of a support system after discharge makes patients feel isolated, and many are unable to reintegrate into society. Furthermore, societal stigma surrounding mental illness makes it even harder for patients to obtain the necessary help. The support system provided by the government relies on patients to proactively apply, and those who do not actively seek help are often overlooked.

Many patients with mental illnesses in South Korea do not continue receiving treatment after being discharged. Experts point out that the suicide rate among mental illness patients in South Korea is relatively high compared to other economically developed countries. Many patients lack ongoing treatment support after discharge and fail to receive adequate help from the community or family, with some patients stating, "I had nowhere to go after being discharged."

According to reports, South Korea has the highest suicide rate in the world, with 27.3 individuals per 100,000 people taking their own lives, about 40% of whom have mental illnesses—this percentage is significantly higher than in other countries. Data from the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare indicates that the mortality rate for patients with schizophrenia is 4.91 times that of the general population, while for bipolar disorder patients, it is 4.34 times. Additionally, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the mortality rate for schizophrenia patients is 2.3 times higher than that of the general public, and for bipolar patients, it is 3.5 times higher, confirming that South Korea's figures in this area are indeed high.

Experts believe the main issue stems from a lack of support systems after discharge. A professor of psychiatry at a certain hospital mentioned, "The suicide problem among patients with mental illnesses arises from their failure to receive effective support after discharge, and their connection to social welfare institutions is relatively weak." Many patients feel reduced support after discharge; one patient expressed, "I had nowhere to go after being discharged because the connection to school and work was already severed during hospitalization, and some friends and family no longer accept them."

Reports indicate that the suicide rate among mental illness patients in South Korea within one year of discharge is 1.8 times the average level of OECD countries, and is 16 times higher compared to Iceland. A professor emphasized, "Patients more realistically feel the pressure of life after discharge and are increasingly worried about whether they can adapt to society." Therefore, the government needs to establish effective support systems to assist patients in reintegrating into life.

As of now, South Korea only offers assistance to discharged patients through mental health welfare centers and mental rehabilitation institutions, which is evidently insufficient given the large number of patients. A professor of mental illness at a certain school pointed out, "Almost half of the regions lack mental rehabilitation facilities, and most of these facilities are concentrated in large cities." Furthermore, societal prejudice against mental illnesses complicates the situation further. Another professor noted, "Compared to other countries, the acceptance of patients with mental illnesses in our society remains relatively low." According to a 2021 survey, 60% of the public believes that "patients with mental illnesses cannot be cured and are very dangerous," highlighting that societal prejudice issues remain severe.

Currently, South Korean government policies regarding the support system require patients to actively express their needs; only by doing so can they receive help. Whether it is through mental health welfare centers or mental rehabilitation institutions, patients must personally visit and submit the necessary information. In other words, those who do not proactively seek help may be overlooked. The aforementioned professor mentioned, "The proportion of domestic patients who stop treatment within a year of discharge is extremely high, which is closely related to the high suicide rate among individuals with mental illnesses."

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