Emergency Suicide Response Enhancement Plan Reported to Cabinet Meeting — 109 Hotline Staff to Expand to 200
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The government reported the 'Emergency Suicide Response Enhancement Plan' (자살 긴급대응 강화방안) at the July 28 Cabinet meeting, strengthening support from crisis detection through recovery of daily life by expanding 109 Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline (109 자살예방 상담전화) staff from 103 to 200 and operating a National Suicide Response Office (국가자살대응실).
Key facts
| Report date | July 28 Cabinet meeting |
|---|---|
| Counseling hotline | 109 Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline (109 자살예방 상담전화), counseling staff expanding from 103 to 200 |
| Life Love Crisis Response Centers | Expanding from the current 100 to 103 by 2027 (providing risk assessment, counseling, and short-term case management within medical institutions) |
| Regional Mental Health Emergency Medical Centers | Expanding from 13 to 17 |
| Intensive psychiatric treatment beds | Acute-phase intensive psychiatric treatment beds expanding to 2,000 beds by 2030 |
| National Suicide Response Office | Staffed jointly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Police Agency (경찰청), the National Fire Agency (소방청), and other relevant ministries, managing the entire process from dispatch to protection, counseling, treatment, and support |
| Support for bereaved families | The 'One-Stop Support Program for Bereaved Families' (유족 원스톱 지원사업), expanded nationwide starting this July, provides support for treatment costs, housing costs, tuition, and legal counseling |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Health and Welfare Suicide Prevention Policy Division (자살예방정책과), 044-202-3899 |
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The Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) announced that it reported the 'Emergency Suicide Response Enhancement Plan' (자살 긴급대응 강화방안), prepared jointly with relevant ministries, at the Cabinet meeting on July 28. This measure is a follow-up to the '9 Sectoral Suicide Prevention Measures' announced in May, and its core is nationwide support for high-risk groups such as suicide attempt survivors and bereaved families, covering the entire process from crisis detection, dispatch and initial response, stabilization and treatment, close post-discharge management, and recovery of daily life. The 109 Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline (109 자살예방 상담전화) counseling staff will expand from the current 103 to 200, Life Love Crisis Response Centers (생명사랑위기대응센터) within medical institutions will expand from the current 100 to 103 by 2027, and Regional Mental Health Emergency Medical Centers (권역정신응급의료센터) will expand from 13 to 17. A 'National Suicide Response Office' (국가자살대응실), staffed jointly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Police Agency (경찰청), the National Fire Agency (소방청), and other relevant ministries, will also be operated.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Where can I get counseling when needed?
You can use the 109 Suicide Prevention Counseling Hotline (109 자살예방 상담전화), and counseling staff will expand from the current 103 to 200.
What support can bereaved families receive?
Through the 'One-Stop Support Program for Bereaved Families' (유족 원스톱 지원사업), which has been expanded nationwide starting this July, bereaved families can receive support for treatment costs, housing costs, tuition, legal counseling, and more.
What does the National Suicide Response Office do?
Staffed jointly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Police Agency (경찰청), the National Fire Agency (소방청), and other relevant ministries, it manages the entire process — from dispatch to protection, counseling, treatment, and support — for suicide attempts and deaths on a one-stop basis, and oversees on-site suicide risk assessment and assignment to follow-up response institutions.