Government Measures Introduced to Strengthen Protection and Counseling for Suicide Attempt Survivors

The government will introduce a 'temporary protection service' that provides professional counseling and protection during the most vulnerable 24 hours after a suicide attempt. The aim is to ensure that even those who are not hospitalized can receive immediate protection and connection to services at the scene. On the 28th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and other agencies reported a joint 'measures to strengthen emergency suicide response' to the Cabinet Meeting. The plan includes police and mental health professionals responding together at the scene, and assessing risk in real time so that cases can lead to emergency hospitalization or referral to treatment and counseling institutions. The government also plans to establish a new 'National Suicide Response Office,' staffed jointly by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Police Agency, and the National Fire Agency, to monitor suicide attempts and death cases 24 hours a day. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has decided to reinforce safety facilities at highrisk locations where suicides repeatedly occur, and to promote the installation of screen doors at railroad stations as well.