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By Kim Se-jeong
Koreans rely far less on antidepressants than citizens of other OECD countries, even though Korea has the world's highest suicide rate, a report showed Wednesday.
Koreans are the second-lowest consumers of antidepressants in 28 countries surveyed.
The report, titled "Health at a Glance," conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggests that Koreans are reluctant to seek medical help due to the social stigma associated with it, even though untreated depression can lead to suicide.
The report stated that in 2013, an average of 20 antidepressants were consumed per 1,000 people per day in Korea, second to the lowest in Chile where 13 per 1,000 people were consumed per day.
According to Statistics Korea's 2013 figures, about 28.5 people per 100,000 committed suicide, which is more than double the OECD average of 12 per 100,000.
Depression is believed to be a major cause for suicide. Studies have found people with depression are 40 times more likely to kill themselves than those who don't have it. Although declining, Korea's suicide rate is still highest among the OECD members.
The results of the study showed high antidepressant consumption rates in countries where suicide is not as high as it is in Korea, indicating that antidepressants are helpful in reducing suicide. For example, the survey showed that Iceland is the biggest consumer of antidepressants with 118 per 1,000 people per day, followed by Australia with 98, Portugal with 88 and Canada with 83.
The OECD urged the Korean government to improve unfavorable perceptions of mental health in the nation and provide better mental health services for the vulnerable.
"Mental health services in Korea lag behind those of other countries with fragmented support, focused largely around institutions, and insufficient and ineffective support services provided to those who remain in the community," the report wrote. "Further efforts are also needed to remove the stigma associated with seeking care."
Experts said that reluctance to seek medical help is pervasive in Korean society.
"In some cases, patients finally came to see me after suffering from depression for 10 years," said a doctor, "mainly because of negative perceptions about mental illness and reaching out for help." Patients often shunned antidepressants, the doctor said. "They think they can recover by staying strong."
But, according to the doctor, staying strong alone is not enough to cure depression.
In Korea, the number of people diagnosed with depression is increasing. The government survey found that in 2011, 6.7 percent of the population suffered from depression at least once in their lives. In 2001, the figure was 4 percent, followed by 5.6 percent in 2006.
He stressed the need to change the social stigma attached to mental illnesses including depression.
The doctor also reiterated that early measures are critical in preventing suicide, including seeking professional help.
"Suicide has multiple causes. Problems such as poverty and losing jobs are external issues over which patients have little control. But as far as taking antidepressants, it is highly recommended because it can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts," the doctor said.
