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Mental health hotline will be installed at Seoul Forest, broadening SOS lifeline's reach

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 15:39 Updated: 29 Apr. 2026, 19:19

The so-called SOS emotional support hotline is seen at Seoul Forest in eastern Seoul in an undated photo. [LIFE INSURANCE PHILANTHROPY FOUNDATION]

A mental health hotline will be installed at Seoul Forest in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, the nonprofit Life Insurance Philanthropy Foundation said Wednesday.

The phone, also present at 19 bridges connecting the northern and southern banks of the Han River, is expected to improve the accessibility of emergency counseling services to curb suicide attempts across the city, allowing people to take better care of their mental health in daily life. The installation at Seoul Forest will become the first of its kind in Seoul outside the Han River bridges.

The hotline is set to launch on May 1, coinciding with the opening of the Seoul International Garden Show at Seoul Forest in Seongdong District.

Since 2011, the SOS lifeline phone service has provided life-saving assistance to 2,395 people contemplating suicide on Han River bridges. The privately-run service has also provided 10,418 consultations.

The so-called SOS lifeline phone is seen installed on a bridge over the Han River in an undated photo. [LIFE INSURANCE PHILANTHROPY FOUNDATION]

As emotional isolation emerges as a growing social concern, the program is expected to enable pre-emptive intervention before psychological distress escalates into crisis.

Anyone experiencing depression, anxiety or isolation can access the hotline service through the SOS support phone anonymously, with professional counselors available 12 hours a day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Callers may be directed to mental health and welfare centers or youth counseling services if deemed necessary, based on the statements of the person calling. In emergencies, safety measures will be provided in coordination with police and fire authorities.

The foundation plans to expand the service to other high-traffic urban areas with greater public accessibility.

“If the SOS lifeline phone service has served as the last bastion of saving public lives at the most extreme moments, the SOS mind support phone is [likely to be] a warm safety net that supports public mental well-being in everyday life before crises emerge,” said Lee Jang-woo, chairman of the foundation.

“We will continue to build an environment and foundation that enables people to take care of their mental health on their own in their daily lives.”

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191 or the Crisis Counseling Center at 1577-0199. The Seoul Global Center offers English-language counseling, contact 02-2075-4180 (+1) to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JUNG JONG-HOON [[email protected]]