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Societal perceptions of mental illness
South Koreans have been found to have comparatively higher levels of internalized stigma, which relates to higher rates of mental illness and more severe symptoms. Seeking treatment for mental health conditions is largely frowned upon in Korean culture, with reports stating that only seven percent of those affected by mental illness seek psychiatric help. As a culture heavily influenced by Confucianism, the honor of the family is prioritized over the individual, leading Koreans to forgo treatment to preserve their family's face. It is also said by Korean doctors that Confucian culture emphasizes individual will and self-discipline which creates a social prejudice against mental health. Traditional Confucian ideals state that mental illnesses/disorders are meant to be tolerated, not treated. Studies have shown that those above 70 were less likely to seek treatment than those within the 19-29 years old age group because of such Confucian ideals. Gender also seems to affect those seeking help for mental illnesses. Women are more likely to seek medical attention to attend to their mental health needs than men, most likely because men have higher perceived stigma of mental health. Those who turn to therapy often pay out-of-pocket and in cash to avoid the stigma associated with mental health services on one's insurance record. Stigma also hinders the ability of those recovering from mental illness to reintegrate into society.

Mental healthcare
South Korean law prohibits workplace discrimination based on mental health conditions, but discrimination persists due to the lack of enforcement of such legislation. Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are well-trained and numerous, but mental healthcare remains isolated from primary care, still a major contributor to South Korea's strong stigma against mental healthcare. Mental health medication is widely available, and almost all medications available to patients in the West are available in South Korea. The universal health coverage as provided by the state means that the majority of South Koreans can afford medicine and treatment for mental illness, but stigma often discourages people from utilizing their health coverage.

Public spending on mental healthcare remained low, at 3%, most of which goes to inpatient mental hospitals despite the fact that most people receive treatment from outpatient facilities. As of 2005, the Korean government did not officially allot any funds towards mental healthcare in the national budget. There has been an increase in the recent years. In 2019, the mental health budget in South Korea was 253.4 million in USD: 90.3 million USD came from the general fund, 63.8 million USD came from the National Health Promotion Fund, and the last 97.3 million USD came from the special account for national mental hospitals. In 2020, the national budget allocated for mental health was 301 billion South Korean won, a 49.5 increase from the budget for mental health treatment in 2017. However, a study has shown that the burden of mental health and behavioral disorders (MBDs) created challenges on the Korean healthcare system that could not be repaired efficiently by this current budget.

The South Korean government passed the Mental Health Act in 1995. The Mental Health Act expanded the number of national mental hospitals and community mental health centers with the goal of making mental healthcare more accessible to communities. However, the act also made involuntary hospitalizations significantly easier. In 2017, the Mental Health Act was amended to protect the individual rights and liberties of those admitted to inpatient mental hospitals. The 1999 Medical Protection Act and Welfare Law for the Handicapped protect the rights of disabled persons, and the mentally ill have qualified for protection under these laws since 2000.

Depression
In 2001, between 3 and 4.2 percent of the South Korean population was estimated to have major depressive disorder as outlined in the DSM-IV, a number which has been increasing. The latest number recorded of the percent of the population diagnosed with depression, 6.7%, was recorded in 2011. Women, smokers, shift workers, those with poor health, those who exercise in the evenings, those who perceive their lives to be stressful, and those that were underweight were more likely to have major depressive disorder. A potential reason that this statistic has risen within the last decade could be from the low access rate to health care services for depression. A study reported that the average percent annual treatment rate for depression was 39.2%. Within the population of those diagnosed with depression, only 16.0% seek treatment. Among those in the population that seek treatment, individuals with a college education are more likely to undergo depression treatment, 16.0%, than those without an education. Educational level has been shown to have an association with those seeking treatment for depression; with more education, individuals are more exposed to health information and actively respond to this new knowledge. Individuals that are above the age of 70 are also less likely to receive depression consultation than those aged between 19 and 29 years.

Suicide
In 2013, the suicide rate in South Korea was 29.1 per 100,000, a decrease from 33.3 per 100,000 in 2011. This rate is more than twice the OECD average. Between 2000 and 2011, South Korea's suicide rate more than doubled, contrary to the international trend of a steadily decreasing suicide rate. This rise in suicides is potentially linked to the economic wellbeing of South Koreans, as suicides have historically been higher during times of economic strife. The increase in suicides has been most significant among women, adolescents, and the elderly. However, the OECD reported that in 2019, the rate of suicide was 24.6 per 100,000. This is a decrease from past reported years, but still noticeably high among other listed countries, such as the United States, Canada, Sweeden, and more.