The suicide prevention project, which collaborates between the government and the private sector, will be launched in earnest from 2025.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Life Respect Hope Foundation held the ‘2025 Public-Private Cooperation Suicide Prevention Project Launch Meeting’ at the foundation’s office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 4th (Friday) and shared the project plans of 10 private institutions selected this year. This project is conducted in a way that financially supports the creative suicide prevention activities of the private sector, with about 500 million won invested annually.
In the first call for proposals this year, various projects were selected, including suicide prevention promotion, counseling for high-risk groups, awareness improvement campaigns, and support for the bereaved families of suicides conducted by religious groups, civic organizations, pharmaceutical societies, and art groups. Notable projects include ‘Talks to Boost Self-Esteem’ (Sungkyunkwan), ‘Walking Meditation’ (Buddhist Counseling Development Institute), and ‘Suicide Prevention Musical’ (Theater Group Bye).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that through this launch meeting, detailed plans for each organization were shared and discussions to strengthen public-private cooperation were conducted.
In addition, a second call for proposals is underway from April 2 to 11. A total of 130 million won is available, with up to 50 million won per project, and nonprofit organizations and cooperatives that carry out high-risk group identification, awareness improvement, or life-respecting culture expansion can apply.
The selected organizations will carry out the projects from May to November and will undergo interim reports and final evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the projects.
Lee Sang-won, Mental Health Policy Director at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, “Public-private cooperation is essential for a society safe from suicide,” and added, “We hope for the interest and participation of many organizations in the second call for proposals.”