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A recent survey by South Korea's National Center for Mental Health revealed alarming trends in the country's mental health landscape, with seven out of 10 individuals reporting significant mental health challenges in the past year.

The survey, conducted online from February to May and encompassing 3,000 respondents aged 15 to 69, underscored a worrisome escalation in mental health issues compared to previous assessments.

According to the findings released Wednesday, 73.6% of respondents acknowledged grappling with mental health concerns, marking a sharp rise of nearly 10 percentage points since 2022. Extreme stress levels surged from 36% to 46.3%, while reports of depressive thoughts lasting several days increased from 30% to 40.2% The Korea Times reported.

Moreover, the survey highlighted a disturbing rise in smartphone and internet addiction, affecting 18.4% of respondents, up from 6.4% in 2022. Equally troubling was the increase in suicidal ideation, with 14.6% of respondents admitting thoughts of self-harm, compared to 8.8% two years ago.

In coping with these challenges, 49.4% of respondents sought support from family members or relatives, while 44.2% consulted medical professionals, and 41% confided in friends.

The survey also indicated evolving attitudes towards mental illness, with over 90% of respondents now recognizing that anyone can be affected, reflecting a positive shift from previous perceptions.

However, amidst these strides, there remains stigma associated with mental health issues. Half of the respondents expressed concerns that friends might ostracize them if they were diagnosed with a mental illness, a notable increase from previous surveys.

Additionally, a majority perceived individuals with mental illnesses as potentially more dangerous than others, highlighting persistent misconceptions that continue to hinder societal acceptance and support.

Kwak Young-sook, President of the National Center for Mental Health, noted the urgent need for enhanced public education on mental health treatment and early intervention.

"Early discovery of the disease is very important," Kwak stated, stressing the importance of proactive measures to address and mitigate the growing mental health crisis.

The National Center for Mental Health initiated the biennial survey in 2016 under the Ministry of Health and Welfare to inform policies aimed at improving mental health nationwide.