One of the young adults she works with, who wished to remain anonymous, said she used to feel withdrawn and “more self-conscious” even though no one was judging her.
“When I’m feeling like this, I know it is important to go out and do something, but it is not easy to go out on your own. So I would go out at late hours,” said the 21-year-old.
“I felt like I was living an irregular life. I think it is important to keep showing up (to events like this), no matter what.”
She is now studying and hopes to go to college. While her family knows she attends green therapy, her friends do not.
Ms Kang said this is not surprising, given how mental health issues are seen as a sign of weakness in the country.
“Even when I was suffering from severe panic disorder, I couldn’t bring myself to go to the hospital,” she added.
“I think it was because of the fear of being stigmatised. I was afraid of hearing people say things like, ‘You’re going to a psychiatrist’.”
While efforts are being made to reduce the suicide rate, experts said it is more important for South Koreans to understand that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness – but a sign of strength.
