Nearly half of South Koreans say they have experienced depression, yet stigma surrounding mental health continues to prevent many from seeking treatment, a new survey shows.
A joint study by Chosun Ilbo and Seoul National University’s Health Culture Research Group, conducted by Hankook Research, surveyed 1,000 South Koreans aged 18 and older on their mental health. The percentage of respondents reporting depression has surged to 49.9% this year, up from 11.5% in 2018 and 26.2% in 2021.
Suicidal thoughts and self-harm have also become more prevalent, with 22.2% of respondents saying they had experienced such thoughts this year, compared with 4.6% in 2018.
Despite worsening mental health trends, 88.3% of respondents said they tend to dismiss their struggles as minor and endure them. One in four (25.7%) said they did not share their feelings with family or friends.
Mental health professionals warn that untreated depression can lead to more severe conditions. “Mental health should not be seen as just an individual issue but as a societal one,” said Yun Young-ho, head of Seoul National University’s Health Culture Research Group and a professor of family medicine. “The government, businesses, and schools need to work together to address this problem.”
However, many South Koreans remain reluctant to seek psychiatric treatment due to concerns about social stigma. The survey found that 71.5% of respondents would avoid psychiatric care or medication even if their mental health worsened.
Workplace discrimination was a major concern, with 88.7% believing that having a mental health record could hurt their job prospects. More than two-thirds (69.4%) feared losing friends if diagnosed with a mental illness.
“I thought only people with severe disorders went to psychiatric clinics,” said Kang, a 26-year-old office worker in Seoul who struggled with depression and anxiety for five years but never sought professional help. “I also feared that taking medication might have long-term health consequences.”
Economic hardship (22.2%) and workplace stress (20.6%) were the most commonly cited reasons for depression, followed by personal relationships (12.7%) and uncertainty about employment, marriage, or retirement (12.6%).
The stigma surrounding mental health has also led many to forgo treatment. Oh, a 27-year-old law school student, sought psychiatric counseling once for academic stress but never returned. “I was worried that if people found out, it might hurt my future job prospects,” he said.
Although psychiatric treatment records are confidential and only accessible under specific legal circumstances, such as criminal investigations, concerns about privacy remain high. They cannot be disclosed for employment, promotions, or university admissions.
Still, societal pressure to keep mental health struggles hidden remains strong. A pregnant woman, identified as A, said she initially hesitated to tell her husband about her suspected prenatal depression. “Even after seeking treatment, I didn’t tell my in-laws or parents,” she said.
Jang Won-seok, vice president of the Korean Association of Psychiatrists, noted that stigma also affects younger patients. “Some children and adolescents with ADHD avoid taking medication because they fear being ridiculed by their peers,” he said. “Although the perception of psychiatry has improved, consistent treatment remains rare.”
Misinformation about psychiatric medication is another obstacle. Kim, a 30-year-old office worker, was prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication earlier this year but stopped taking them after a week. “The doctor said I needed to take them consistently to recover, but I felt sluggish and unfocused,” he said.
Cost and lack of awareness were also major barriers to treatment. Among those who did not seek professional help, 45% believed their condition would improve over time, while 28.4% cited financial concerns. Another 19.6% said they did not know where to find appropriate counseling services.
Respondents said they wanted greater access to mental health resources, with 73.8% calling for free psychological counseling, 45% supporting mental health education, and 35.3% advocating for workplace support programs.
“As with physical health, early diagnosis and consistent treatment are essential for mental well-being,” said Professor Yun. “Governments, local authorities, businesses, and schools must work together to expand mental health resources and support systems.”
