“I am reminded of the accident whenever I come across students. Just looking at the window revives the excruciating memories of children trying to get out. People think that I should be free from pain since I am a survivor, but that is far from the truth,” said Kim Dong Soo. Kim, was dubbed the Sewol Ferry Hero, due to his heroic deed of saving ten students during last year’s Sewol Ferry Incident. However, he recently tried to commit suicide haunted by the trauma of the incident. 

Kim lamented his dire economic situation and lack of support from the government. He had only received financial assistance from the government for two months and has been facing severe economic problems. He lost his job as a truck driver, when the truck sank deep into the sea alongside the ferry. His trauma went mainly unattended as he was forced to go all the way from Jeju-do to Kyunggi-do, his hometown, where the Ansan Trauma center is located. He has been suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but like many PTSD patients, he could not receive appropriate or sufficient treatment.

As Kim’s case demonstrates, victims of traumatic incidents such as natural disaster, war, or rape, suffer not only from visible injuries but also from psychological ones, such as PTSD. Due to the arbitrary nature of PTSD and lack of sufficient institutional support, many patients continue to suffer without receiving proper treatment. Constant flashbacks, anger, rage, fainting, insomnia, fear, and nervousness are just a few symptoms of PTSD.

As a result of the Sewol Ferry incident and increased interest in welfare, centers and legislation to support patients suffering from PTSD have emerged sporadically across the Korean peninsula. However, the lack of a centralized system, consistent policy, and sufficient research, has impeded help from reaching those in need.

In the field of academics, it is highly difficult to diagnose and treat PTSD. Symptoms may vary from person to person making it even more difficult to find appropriate treatment. The guilt and flashbacks do not constantly haunt patients all the time, but attack patients from time to time. The vagueness of the illness has led to a further void in institutional support. Although there are treatment programs and therapy provided by the government for patients with PTSD they are dispersed without having a centrally organized system.

Currently in Korea, separate programs for treating policemen and firefighters are organized separately by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Emergency Management. These separate programs only make patients confused as to where to go for treatment. On top of that, the government offers limited support depending on one’s occupation and specifics of one’s trauma. Korea is currently lacking sufficient research centers and data.

Even with programs in place there is another barrier that hinders patients from receiving appropriate treatment. The tendency to stigmatize those who receive mental treatment further leads patients to hide their pain and suffering on their own. Fire fighters reported that they refrained from receiving mental therapy for fear of backlash from their colleagues and superiors. Also, many adult patients chose not to receive treatment as the treatment usually hinders them from going to work.

Two way measures are needed to fundamentally address PTSD. The government needs to create a centralized system for PTSD patients. Legislators have recently passed bills to ensure that victims get financial support from the government, but increasing funds is not enough. A centralized system should come beforehand for the patients to be treated efficiently. Furthermore, the tendency to stigmatize mental therapy should be abolished. The responsibility lies not only in the government but also in the people.

Disasters and misfortunes occur in many cases, beyond the control of humans. However, properly caring for the victims can be done effectively if proper support and discretion are given to the patients. Fundamental changes are necessary to create a society where victims do not have to commit suicide to voice out their cause.