South Korea to use AI to detect suicide warning signs among students

File: Chosunbiz

According to The Korea Herald, government plans to use artificial intelligence to identify suicide warning signs among students as part of a nationwide effort to improve youth mental health and reduce student suicide rates. Under the plan, an AI-powered monitoring system will be developed by the end of this year. The system will analyze online content, including images, social media posts, videos and internet slang related to self-harm or suicide, to help identify students who may be at risk. Officials said counselors currently detect warning signs manually and identified around 29,000 cases in 2025. Authorities believe AI technology will allow them to find vulnerable students more quickly and provide support before a crisis occurs. The government will also expand mental health screenings in schools and strengthen counseling services by creating more counseling rooms and increasing the number of professional counselors. Emergency support teams, mental health vouchers and specialized psychiatric services for young people will also be expanded.

In addition, students, teachers and parents will receive tailored suicide prevention education. Schools will increase social and emotional learning programs, provide more counseling opportunities and expand arts, cultural and physical education activities designed to improve students’ well-being and self-esteem. The government will support students returning to school after self-harm incidents and provide assistance to families affected by youth suicide. Recovery programs, grief education and mental health support will also be offered to school communities following such incidents.

To strengthen long-term prevention efforts, the government plans to increase funding for student mental health services and hire around 200 additional mental health specialists at local education offices. Beginning in 2027, authorities will also conduct psychological autopsies of youth suicide cases, including analysis of digital information left behind by students, to better understand the causes and develop more effective prevention strategies. Officials said the measures reflect growing concern over youth mental health challenges and are intended to create a safer and more supportive environment for students across the country.