{"id":7124,"date":"2021-06-16T11:30:41","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T16:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/?p=7124"},"modified":"2021-06-15T06:25:20","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T11:25:20","slug":"mental-health-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/mental-health-in-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health in South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you heard of a competition for doing nothing? Yes, it is a real event in South Korea. (https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2016\/may\/22\/screen-addicted-south-koreans-compete-in-space-out-contest<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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Image by Free-Photos on Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Korean artist \uc8fc\ucd5c\ud558\ub2e4 (joo-choi-hah-dah<\/strong>: host) \uba4d\ub54c\ub9ac\uae30 (mung-dde-ri-gi:<\/strong> space out) competition since 2014. The participants literally do nothing for 90 minutes. They are not allowed to talk, sleep, eat or use electric devices. The winner of the competition is whoever has the most steady and slowest pulse at the end. This event was held in \uc81c\uc8fc\ub3c4 (JeJu-do<\/strong>: Jeju Island) this year. The winner was a local hairdresser. The purpose of this event is to provide space and time for Koreans who are stressed from information overloading and hectic lifestyle.<\/p>\n

I was intrigued when I read an article about the competition. Although it made me saddened, at the same time, because I may know the reason why this kind of event is annually held.<\/p>\n

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How Stressful Life Could Be In Korea<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There was research (https:\/\/www.startupn.kr<\/a>) to study causes of stress among \ud68c\uc0ac\uc6d0 (hwei-sah-won<\/strong>: a company employee) in Korea. The main reasons for stress were the pressure of given tasks and uncertainty of the future, including financial insecurity.<\/p>\n

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Image by Comfreak on Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

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According to Sangji Youngsoe College team, \ub300\ud559\uc0dd (dae-hak-seng<\/strong>: college students) are suffering from an \ucde8\uc5c5\ub09c (chwei-up-nan<\/strong>: unemployment crisis). Social factors, such as \ucde8\uc5c5 (chwei-up<\/strong>: seeking employment), \uacbd\uc81c\ub825 (gyeong-jae-ryuk<\/strong>: economic power, status) are the primary causes.<\/p>\n

South Korea, unfortunately, has the highest suicide rate among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. Alcohol consumption is high as well. \ube48\ubd80\uaca9\ucc28 (bin-boo-gyuk-cha<\/strong>: the gap between wealth and poor) is getting bigger. \uc9c0\uc625\ucca0 (ji-ok-chu<\/strong>l: a very crowded subway in rush hours, a newly coined word from hell + subway) is one example to reflect how crazy \ucd9c\ud1f4\uadfc (chool-twae-guen<\/strong>: commuting) could be in big cities of Korea. From my experience, I believe that many South Koreans learn how to survive from a competitive lifestyle at an early age.<\/p>\n

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How Do Koreans Manage Stress?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

From a view of an outsider, I see that more Koreans value their well-being. One of the big trends I see is that more people spend their \uc5ec\uac00\uc2dc\uac04 (yeo-gah-si-gahn<\/strong>: free time, leisure time) with family in nature.
\nKoreans also seem to be more proactive in stress management. I have recently noticed small, but significant changes from mass media. I enjoy watching talk shows and one of them is \uc138\ubc14\uc2dc (Sebashi Talk). \uc138\ubc14\uc2dc, which is short for \uc138\uc0c1\uc744 \ubc14\uafb8\ub294 \uc2dc\uac04 (se-sang-eul-bah-ggu-nuen-si-gahn<\/strong>: a time to change the world). This show hosts various guests who can share their life lessons on different topics in life. It reminds me of the TED show in the Korean version.<\/p>\n

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Image by Pexels on Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

The other thing I have noticed is that more \uc815\uc2e0\uacfc\uc758\uc0ac (jeong-sin-kwa-eui-sah<\/strong>: a psychiatrist) \ucd9c\uc5f0\ud558\ub2e4 (chool-yeon-hah-dah<\/strong>: make an appearance) on Korean TV shows. They emphasize the importance of receiving mental counseling\/treatment before the problem gets out of hand. Since getting mental counseling used to be stigmatized, this could be a new concept to viewers. However, I believe this enlightenment is very important in a high-stress society.<\/p>\n

Stress in life is inevitable. In fact, the level of stress has been higher globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe it is important to manage stress in healthy ways. I wish Korea becomes a society in which more people can easily access healthy stress management tools.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Have you heard of a competition for doing nothing? Yes, it is a real event in South Korea. (https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2016\/may\/22\/screen-addicted-south-koreans-compete-in-space-out-contest)     A Korean artist \uc8fc\ucd5c\ud558\ub2e4 (joo-choi-hah-dah: host) \uba4d\ub54c\ub9ac\uae30 (mung-dde-ri-gi: space out) competition since 2014. The participants literally do nothing for 90 minutes. They are not allowed to talk, sleep, eat or use electric devices. The…<\/p>\n

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