'SOS Lifeline' marks 15 years, with 6 in 10 callers in their teens, 20s

Since the "SOS Lifeline" — a suicide-prevention hotline installed on Han River bridges — was introduced, a total of 10,606 crisis consultations have been recorded over the past 15 years. Of those, 2,515 led to emergency 119 rescues. Callers in their teens and 20s accounted for more than half of all consultations.

The Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation released these findings on the 15-year performance of the SOS Lifeline and the current state of its suicide-prevention support projects. The announcement came on Friday, marking World Suicide Prevention Day.

The SOS Lifeline connects citizens facing a crisis on Han River bridges to a professional counselor when they pick up the receiver. If a crisis is confirmed during the call, the foundation coordinates with the 119 water rescue squad and other agencies to support an on-scene response. First installed on Mapo Bridge and Hannam Bridge in July 2011, the service now operates 75 units across 20 Han River bridges.

In the first half of this year, the hotline received 188 consultations, up 19.7 percent from 157 in the same period last year. Cases referred to 119 rescue teams doubled, from 60 to 120.

By age, people in their teens and 20s accounted for about 57 percent of callers. Those in their 20s made up the largest group at 3,314 (31 percent), followed by teenagers at 2,757 (26 percent) and those in their 30s at 723 (7 percent). By gender, men accounted for 6,002 callers (56.6 percent), more than women at 3,696 (34.8 percent).

By consultation type, interpersonal and adjustment issues were the most common, at 2,555 cases (20 percent). This was followed by career and academic concerns (2,273 cases, 17 percent), general life difficulties (2,040 cases, 16 percent) and family problems (1,740 cases, 13 percent). Nearly half of all calls came between 6 p.m. and midnight, the busiest time slot.

"Last year, we improved the communication system of the SOS Lifeline, and this year we built a remote integrated management system to reorganize our operations," an official from the Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation said. "We are also standardizing the counseling quality evaluation system and running case-based training and regular supervision sessions to strengthen counselors' crisis-response capabilities."

The Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation was established in 2007 through a joint effort by the life insurance industry to provide welfare services to society. It carries out social contribution activities based on a "lifetime security" philosophy spanning from birth to death.

If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, dial the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 109, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please request a translator for English-language services.