Province establishes four major strategies, including early detection and enhanced support utilizing artificial intelligence and everyday contact points

Chungcheongnam-do is rolling out comprehensive suicide prevention measures to shed its stigma of recording the highest suicide rate nationwide, aiming to detect signs of suicide risk early and seamlessly connect individuals to treatment and recovery.

According to suicide rate statistics for 2025 released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 28th, the province’s suicide rate stood at 35.7 per 100,000 residents, significantly exceeding the national average of 27.8.

In response, the province has significantly strengthened region-specific measures under the vision, "Chungnam Connecting Lives through AI and People."

Moving away from reactive support that waits for individuals to seek help, the comprehensive plan focuses on four core strategies: "First-Find (Proactive Discovery), Continuous Connection (End-to-End Linkage), Risk Reduction, and Shared Responsibility."

The four strategies are "Connected Discovery," "Connected Help," "Connected Prevention," and "Connected Responsibility." A total of 18.18 billion won will be invested by 2030 to implement 46 detailed projects in phases.

First, under "Connected Discovery," the province will detect suicide risk signals early by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and everyday contact points such as finance, employment, welfare, and care services.

"Connected Help" strengthens cooperation among related organizations—including the police, fire services, emergency medical services, and mental health welfare centers—to ensure that high-risk groups, such as suicide attempters, receive continuous support through treatment and recovery.

"Connected Prevention" improves hazardous environments, including suicide risk means and vulnerable locations, while expanding prevention activities utilizing community living spaces.

Finally, "Connected Responsibility" establishes a community-wide cooperative response system involving diverse sectors such as welfare, youth, medical services, and safety across the provincial and municipal levels.

In addition, deputy heads of the provincial government and municipal/county offices will be designated as suicide prevention officers to oversee and coordinate local government responses and strengthen the community's joint responsibility system.

In line with this initiative, the province agreed at the "Chungnam Youth Life-Keeper Safety Network Consultative Body" meeting held at the provincial government small conference room on the same day to build a sustainable community life-safety network with youth-related organizations including the Office of Education, aimed at early detection of youth risk signals and connecting them to necessary services.

Kim Eun-sook, Head of the Mental Health Division, stated, "Suicide prevention cannot be achieved solely through the efforts of a single department or institution," adding, "Moving forward, we will strengthen communication and cooperation among institutions so that local communities can watch over high-risk groups together, ensuring a seamless connection from discovery to treatment and recovery."