A Surge in Treatment Amidst a Mental Health Crisis
South Korea is witnessing a dramatic transformation in its approach to youth mental health, driven by a sharp statistical increase in the number of children and adolescents seeking psychiatric care. Recent data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service reveals a 76.6 percent rise in mental health treatment among individuals under 18 over the past four years. In 2024 alone, the number of young patients visiting psychiatric clinics surpassed 350,000, a stark contrast to the 198,384 recorded in 2020. This upward trajectory has been consistent, with the figure crossing the 300,000 threshold for the first time in 2023, signaling a profound shift in the nation’s public health landscape.
The surge in treatment numbers reflects a complex interplay of factors. While it indicates a genuine rise in mental health conditions among the youth, experts also suggest it points to a positive change in societal attitudes. For decades, seeking psychiatric help carried a heavy stigma in South Korean society, often associated with a loss of social standing or family reputation. However, the current data suggests that barriers are lowering, allowing more families to access necessary care. This trend mirrors a broader global pattern, where nations are seeing increased rates of youth anxiety and depression, often exacerbated by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pervasive influence of digital technology.
The World Health Organization has noted a global increase of at least 25 percent in the incidence of anxiety and depressive disorders following the pandemic. In South Korea, this has manifested acutely among younger populations, necessitating a robust response from healthcare providers and policymakers alike. The statistics serve as a clarion call for the nation to address the root causes of this distress while simultaneously expanding the capacity of its mental health infrastructure to handle the growing demand for services.
From ADHD to Depression: A Shifting Landscape
Analysis of the patient data reveals distinct patterns in mental health diagnoses based on age groups. Among children aged 12 and under, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder remains the most prevalent condition, with 98,318 cases recorded in 2024. Developmental delays follow as the second most common diagnosis in this demographic. In contrast, the picture shifts significantly for teenagers aged 13 to 18. In this older group, depression emerges as the leading mental illness, with 60,895 cases reported, closely followed by ADHD with 54,311 cases. This evolution of diagnoses highlights how the pressures and developmental challenges evolve as children transition into adolescence.
Gender-specific data further illuminates the crisis. For males, the highest concentration of psychiatric patients is found in the seven to 12 age bracket, totaling over 105,000 individuals. Conversely, females experience the highest rates of mental health treatment between the ages of 13 and 18, with nearly 95,000 patients in this category. Experts attribute these differences to varying developmental timelines and the different social pressures boys and girls face during their formative years. The high prevalence of depression among teenage girls, in particular, has drawn significant attention from researchers and clinicians alike.
The Weight of Academic Expectations
A primary driver of the mental health crisis is the intense academic pressure placed on South Korean youth from a very young age. The education system is notoriously competitive, with students often attending private cram schools, known as hagwons, late into the evening after regular school hours. The focus on high-stakes university entrance exams creates an environment where academic success is paramount, often at the expense of physical and mental well-being. Joung Yoo-sook, a professor of psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center, notes that children now encounter academic and social stress much earlier than in the past, issues that previously typically arose in middle school.
The relentless drive for achievement leaves little room for leisure or rest, contributing to burnout and anxiety. This pressure is not limited to the students themselves but permeates the entire family structure, as parents invest significant financial and emotional resources into their children’s education. The fear of falling behind in a hyper-competitive society can be overwhelming for young people, leading to feelings of hopelessness and severe distress. As the pressure intensifies and begins at earlier ages, the mental health toll becomes evident in the rising numbers of diagnoses and the lowering of the age at which children seek psychiatric help.
The Digital Dilemma: Social Media and Screens
Alongside academic pressures, the digital environment plays a significant role in the deteriorating mental health of South Korean youth. Experts have pointed to increased use of social media as a major contributing factor. Adolescents are exposed to a constant stream of information, cyberbullying, and unrealistic comparisons with peers online. Data from mobile analytics firm IGAWorks indicates that Korean adolescents spend an average of 98 minutes per day watching YouTube videos and 49 minutes viewing Instagram content. This extensive screen time has raised alarms among parents and health professionals regarding its impact on developing minds.
Peer-reviewed research published in ScienceDirect highlights a specific concern regarding smartphone usage and gender. The study found that longer smartphone use causes increased depressive symptoms and higher suicidal ideation for girls, though this pattern was not observed to the same extent in boys. The research suggests that while social and active smartphone usage, such as communicating with friends and family, can predict lower depressive symptoms, the overall volume of usage remains a critical risk factor. The gendered nature of these findings suggests that tailored interventions are necessary to address the specific ways digital media affects different groups.
“Korean society shows less prejudice and fear toward seeing a psychiatrist than in the past, which has lowered the threshold for seeking treatment,” said Hong Soon-beom, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at Seoul National University College of Medicine.
The professor further noted that the increase in patients reflects a rise in parents seeking professional help after being exposed to child psychiatry-related content through television and YouTube. This indicates that media is playing a dual role: while it contributes to anxiety through social comparison, it also serves as a tool for education and awareness, helping parents recognize symptoms that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The Human Cost: Case Studies and Suicide
Behind the statistics are real stories of young people struggling to cope. A case reported by Korea JoongAng Daily illustrates the complexity of these challenges. A nine-year-old boy in Seoul began receiving treatment for depression after his parents’ divorce. His mother described how an unstable home environment affected his emotional development, leading to irritability and increased smartphone use. This case underscores how family dynamics, combined with digital consumption, can trigger mental health crises in even very young children. Childhood depression often presents differently than in adults, with symptoms such as irritability or hypersensitivity that can be mistaken for typical behavioral defiance.
The most severe consequence of untreated or inadequately managed mental health issues is suicide. Suicide has been the leading cause of death for people aged 9 to 24 in South Korea since 2011. The situation is exacerbated by a phenomenon known as “silent type” suicides, where victims show no apparent problems or clear environmental risk factors. Studies indicate that nearly half of adolescent suicides in South Korea fall into this category, a rate significantly higher than in other countries. This suggests that many young people may be suffering in silence, unaware of their own conditions or too afraid to seek help due to lingering stigma.
The impact of suicide extends far beyond the individual. A single suicide affects approximately 60 people in the victim’s social circle, creating a ripple effect of grief and trauma. Research shows that family members of suicide victims are at a much higher risk of mental illness and suicide themselves. In 2021, the suicide rate among teenagers increased by 10.1 percent, the highest among all age groups. These tragic outcomes highlight the urgent need for proactive intervention and support systems that can reach young people before they reach a crisis point.
Critical Challenges in Treatment Infrastructure
While the increase in treatment rates suggests greater accessibility, the South Korean mental health system faces significant challenges. One major concern is the lack of infrastructure for high-risk patients. Hong Hyun-ju, a professor of psychiatry at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, pointed out that there are not enough hospital beds for children who have attempted suicide. She noted that there are more cases of severe symptoms, such as 10-year-olds being hospitalized for depression, which were rarely seen in the past. The shortage of inpatient facilities and staffing limits the system’s ability to handle acute crises.
Another growing issue is the potential over-reliance on medication. The use of ADHD medications, often nicknamed “study drugs” for their perceived effect on concentration, has surged. Prescriptions for ADHD drugs in patients aged 19 and under reached 3.35 million between 2022 and 2024. In 2024 alone, 1.37 million prescriptions were issued to minors, marking a 21.9 percent increase from the previous year. This rise has fueled debate about whether these medications are being used to treat genuine disorders or are being sought for academic advantage. The Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management has applied a medication history check system to ADHD drugs to monitor usage, but the high volume of prescriptions remains a point of contention.
The Debate Over Medical Authority
Critics, including some medical professionals, argue that the system relies too heavily on a biomedical model of care. In Korean culture, doctors are often viewed as unquestionable authorities. When a psychiatrist prescribes medication, patients and families rarely question the necessity or explore alternatives. This cultural deference, combined with short consultation times that often last less than 10 minutes, can lead to long-term pharmaceutical dependency without addressing the underlying psychological or social causes of distress. Some experts advocate for a shift toward a more holistic approach that includes psychotherapy, community support, and lifestyle changes rather than medication alone.
Policy Responses and Future Solutions
In response to the escalating crisis, the South Korean government is considering various policy measures. Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the Korea Media Communications Commission, has stated that enhanced restrictions on children’s social media use would be a priority. This aligns with actions taken by other countries, such as Australia’s recent ban on social media for children under 16. However, regulation is only one piece of the puzzle. Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that includes education, early intervention, and community support.
Promoting Mental Health Literacy (MHL) in schools is seen as a vital preventive measure. The “School Mental Health Resources and Research Center” of the Ministry of Education has developed programs for teachers to use in middle and high school curricula. These programs aim to teach students how to maintain positive mental health, recognize symptoms, and seek help without shame. Research shows that positive mental health status in adolescence is proportional to the level of mental health literacy. By integrating these lessons into the regular curriculum, schools can equip students with the skills they need to navigate the pressures of modern life.
Furthermore, there is a call for expanding the role of “gatekeepers”—teachers and counselors trained to identify at-risk students and refer them to specialized services. Current mental health programs in schools have shown positive effects in reducing suicide risk, but they are often limited by underfunding. Currently, mental health spending accounts for less than 3 percent of the country’s healthcare expenditures, significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 15 to 50 percent. Increasing this investment is essential to building a sustainable support system for the nation’s youth.
The Bottom Line
The rise in youth mental health cases in South Korea is a multifaceted issue requiring a coordinated response from families, schools, healthcare providers, and the government. While the increase in treatment numbers is concerning, it also represents a step toward breaking the stigma that has long surrounded mental illness. By addressing the root causes of distress, such as academic pressure and social media influence, and by building a more robust and compassionate care infrastructure, South Korea can work toward safeguarding the well-being of its future generations.
- The number of South Korean youth under 18 receiving mental health treatment rose by 76.6 percent from 2020 to 2024, reaching over 350,000 patients.
- ADHD is the most common diagnosis for children under 12, while depression is the leading condition for teenagers aged 13 to 18.
- Academic pressure and competitive entrance exams are cited as major contributors to stress and anxiety among students.
- Suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people aged 9 to 24, with a high rate of “silent type” suicides showing no prior warning signs.
- Experts advocate for increased Mental Health Literacy in schools and higher government spending on mental health infrastructure.
Excessive social media and smartphone use are linked to increased depressive symptoms, particularly among adolescent girls.
Prescriptions for ADHD medications have surged, raising concerns about the misuse of “study drugs” for academic performance.
