South Korea Is Helping Students Stage Fake Funerals To Overcome Depression

By Amanda Froelich at trueactivist.com

At Seoul Hyowon Healing Centre in South Korea, students undergo a “death experience” to contemplate their life from an outsider’s perspective.
Life is a gift to be treasured. Of course, for every joyful moment, there are bound to be some saddening ones as well. That’s part of what makes it so precious.

Unfortunately, whether it is due to low-nutrient, poor quality food, society’s pressure to ‘be perfect,’ or familial tension causing one’s distress, it can sometimes be hard to recognize the highs in life when you’re stuck in the lows. 

Certainly, depression is no joke. The decision to take one’s life through suicide is no laughing matter either. In fact, the permanence of such a choice – which oftentimes is made impulsively – is so grave, a healing center in South Korea is taking massive action to drive home the reality of such a choice.

The Seoul Hyowon Healing Center in South Korea is giving depressed students a massive reality check by giving them a “death experience.” The therapy has been developed as a method to cope with the high suicide rates of South Korea.

As BBC reports, around 40 South Koreans take their lives every day. This shocking statistic is being blamed on the hyper-competitive nature of the country’s society. Like many developing nations, students endlessly grind to score high on the College Scholastic Ability Test to get into one of the top three schools in the nation, and adults struggle with their financial responsibilities and enormously high beauty standards.

From teenagers struggling with exam pressure to elderly citizens terrified of becoming a financial burden to their loved ones, there are many people hoping to benefit from the therapy.

Part of the healing protocol is for each suicidal individual to write a will, say goodbye to their loved ones, and undergo a mock funeral before they are locked into a coffin for more than ten minutes.

The therapy is meant to force them to contemplate their life from an outsider’s perspective.

ThePlaidZebra shares that “the idea of the mock death experience is to dwell on the damage that results when someone dies, the pain of relatives who are left behind to consider the reasons why their loved one decided to take their own life.”

Once the students emerge from their coffins, they are counseled through their experience. Reportedly, many leave feeling happy and grateful to be alive, liberated and fresh.

In 2011, suicide was the number one cause of death among South Koreans under the age of 40. Drastic measures such as this therapy have helped the suicide rate decline by 29.1% in recent years. This decline is promising, but more still needs to be done to address and remedy this concerning issue. 

While the Seoul center is thriving by offering this form of therapy, the root cause(s) contributing to depression and suicidal thoughts needs to be addressed and remedied.

Most people – regardless of their background – feel they are drowning in the never-ceasing obligation to attain perfection. Here’s a truth desperately in need of realization: No one – including yourself – is expected nor should strive to be perfect.

The beauty of being human is knowing that despite all perceived flaws, you are who you are meant to be and are worthy of love in this moment. It is your quest to realize self-love and share that inspiration with others, so they may perceive their worth as well.

If you are waiting to achieve perfection before acknowledging your self-worth, you will be waiting a long time. Recognizing this now is necessary so you may begin living your life as you choose and deserve.

What are your thoughts on this unique therapy? Comment below and share this news.

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