When you have thoughts of suicide
If you are reading this, part of you still wants to live. Call 109.
Right now
- Call 109 — 24 hours, free, anonymity allowed.
- If Korean is hard, call 1577-1366 (multilingual, 24 hours).
- Remove dangerous items (medicines, sharp objects, cords) now, or hand them to someone.
- Don't stay alone. Go to someone, or to a place with people.
- Don't drink. Alcohol feeds the impulse.
- Aim only to get through today. Crises pass like waves.
When these thoughts come
- "I'm a burden" — untrue. Losing you would be the deepest wound of all.
- "There's no way out" — debt, visa and wage problems all have procedures. The answer is counselling, not death.
- "Nobody understands" — others have been through the same, and counsellors have helped them through it.
Practical help
- Debt and legal issues — 132 (Korea Legal Aid Corporation), 1397 (microfinance)
- Unpaid wages — 1350
- Residence problems — 1345
- Violence — 112, 1366
- Livelihood crisis — 129 (emergency welfare) Each burden pressing on you has its own place to turn. A counsellor will help you connect.
Where to call
- 109 suicide prevention line (24 hours, free)
- 1577-0199 mental health helpline (24 hours)
- 1577-1366 Danuri Call Centre (multilingual, 24 hours)
- 119 if you are at the point of acting
- 1588-9191 Lifeline Korea
Questions people ask
I don't know what to say on the phone. "I'm struggling" is enough. The counsellor leads from there. Crying is fine; silence is fine.
Is it really anonymous? Yes. You can be counselled without giving your name.
Will I be hospitalised against my will? The helpline is there to listen. Only when life is in immediate danger does safety take precedence.
Is there text or chat instead of phone? Suicide prevention counselling also runs text and chat channels. Ask 109 or your local mental health welfare centre.
Take care
If you are about to act, call 119 or get to where people are. The impulse usually subsides after a few hours. Get through this one night. Tomorrow, with counselling, a way can be found.
Related
mental-crisis · suicide-prevention · friend-in-crisis · mental-health-welfare · emergency-welfare
Source
Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.kfsp.or.kr / As of 2026-08