“As Immanuel Kant put it, no one really wants to kill himself. Suicide is in any case a forced surrender of life,” according to Prof. Kim Jong-gab of Konkuk University’s Institute of Body Culture Study.

“They seem to have voluntarily killed themselves but those who commit suicide must have been cornered by diverse crises to the brink of their lives. No one wants to die,” he said.

Kim said it may be inappropriate to blame depression as the main reason for suicide. 

“Society seems to dismiss suicide as a personal issue. However, suicide goes beyond a clinical issue. It is a mixed result from personal instability and an environment that presses people into making drastic choices,” he said. He suggested that the only way to bring down the suicide rate is to raise public awareness of the issue and deal with it as a social problem.

Kim argued it is important for friends and family to look after those who have previously attempted suicide.

“Those who attempted suicide should have a chance to know themselves and learn to talk to others about their problems. People around them should also encourage them to open up their minds. I recommend they write a journal about their lives from birth to the present. This self-reflection could clear and organize oneself,” said Kim.

“This will also help them and those around them understand their fundamental problems. Encourage them to share their worries with you. Start talking to them with an open mind. It’s not going to be easy but it will help,” he said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)