Every existence in the world has some "duality" like two sides of a coin. Positive and negative, constructive and destructive exist together. Our lives are intertwined by life and death, hope and despair, dreams and failures. We try to save the world, but some people necessarily choose destructive power.
There are 31 bridges that cross the Han River in Seoul. Seoul is planning to
raise the height of the guardrails of 20 bridges from 1.1 meters to 2 meters so
as to prevent people from committing suicide.
According to the report on Jan. 12 of the Catholic peace newspaper, 10 families
committed suicide from September to December last year. Due to the decisions
made by parents, 15 children died through strangling or gas poisoning.
Their major causes of suicide are economic hardship and severe depression.
Singer-actress Sulli (Choi Jin-ri) was found dead at age 25 on Nov. 14 last
year. It is said that the major reason for her sudden death was the malicious
online comments and rumors leveled at her.
In 2008, actress Choi Jin-sil also committed suicide at age 40 due to the same
reason. After her death, both her former husband and younger sister committed
suicide as well.
Extreme stress and depression, malicious comments, an unstable income,
excessive exposure of privacy, difficult life and broken heart might be some
fundamental causes of death. Nowadays, because of anonymity of writing
feedbacks on internet, some people talk most nakedly and critically without
considering unique situations of others.
Unfortunately, Korea has one of the highest rates of suicide in the developed
world. It is said that about 40 persons commit suicide a day. Various other
causes such as sexual orientation, gender identity, grades, bullying,
unemployment, divorce, extreme loneliness and isolation are driving people go
beyond their limits.
Various NGOs, counselors, volunteer groups, and those completing charity work
try to help those who suffer from all sorts of difficulties, severe depression,
anxiety disorders or other mental illnesses, but there are always some blind
spots.
In fact, it takes a lot of time to cope with emotional pain, loss of hope, fear
of losing a relationship, traumatic stress due to childhood sexual abuse,
physical abuse, war trauma or emotional instability.
Volunteering activities such as the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Love Line
Counseling Center, Taking Care of the Heart, Reading the Heart, etc. are
present here and there.
When we have the goal and the strong will to live, we are inspired to overcome
all challenges, no matter how demanding they might be.
One day in the midst of a loose life, St. Augustine (354-430) heard children singing "Tolle et lege!" (Take up and read!) in a Milan garden. So he read Romans 13:13-14 ― "Let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." At that time, he was 32 years old, and then, he was baptized at age 33. Another window was opened wide in front of him.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2020/02/162_283871.html
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/
Febraury 24 online, 25 offline, 2020
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