Hospital-Based Psychosocial Case Management and Suicide Prevention in South Korea: A Randomized Clinical Trial - Report - MDSpire

Hospital-Based Psychosocial Case Management and Suicide Prevention in South Korea: A Randomized Clinical Trial

  • By

  • Sang Min Lee

  • Kyoung-Hoon Kim

  • Kyu-Man Han

  • Min-Hyuk Kim

  • Min-Kyoung Kim

  • Kwang-Yeon Choi

  • A-La Park

  • Myungjae Baik

  • Ah Rah Lee

  • Peter Jongho Na

  • Hyeon-Ah Lee

  • Hwa-Young Lee

  • Jong-Woo Paik

  • July 7, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Psychosocial Case Management in Hospitals and Its Impact on Suicide Prevention

Overview

This study evaluates the effectiveness of hospital-based assertive case management (ACM) as an adjunct to standard psychiatric treatment for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal ideation in South Korea. The randomized clinical trial aims to determine the effectiveness of ACM compared to usual care.

Background

South Korea has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, particularly affecting the working-aged population. Despite national initiatives aimed at suicide prevention, mortality rates remain high. Major depressive disorder is a prevalent diagnosis among those who die by suicide, necessitating structured case management.

Data Highlights

No numerical data provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • The study is a randomized clinical trial conducted across 6 hospitals in South Korea.
  • Participants included adults with MDD and either recent suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.
  • ACM is being evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing the severity of suicidal thoughts and behaviors at 6 months.
  • Previous studies have shown limited long-term effectiveness of brief psychosocial interventions.
  • ACM aims to improve treatment adherence and continuity of care for high-risk patients.

Clinical Implications

The study evaluates the integration of structured psychosocial case management into standard psychiatric care for patients with MDD and suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ACM in preventing suicidality among patients with MDD.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Lee et al, JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Suicidal Ideation and the Wider Value of Structured Care in Major Depression—Before the Near Miss
  2. BMC Psychiatry, 2023 -- A multicenter, single-arm clinical trial of an assertive case management intervention for preventing suicide reattempts at psychiatric hospitals in Japan: ACTION-JP study
  3. BMC Psychiatry, 2023 -- Psychosocial interventions for self-harm and suicide prevention in liaison psychiatry: an overview of systematic reviews
  4. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Hospital-Based Psychosocial Case Management and Suicide Prevention in South Korea: A Randomized Clinical Trial
  5. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Factors Associated with Suicidal Behavior in Individuals with Mental Health Conditions Attending an Outpatient Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital in Uganda
  6. Korea.net: Official Website of the Republic of Korea
  7. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide
  8. LIVE LIFE: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries
  9. https://jkms.org/pdf/10.3346/jkms.2026.41.e22
  10. 영문법령 > 본문 > ACT FOR THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AND THE CREATION OF CULTURE OF RESPECT FOR LIFE | 국가법령정보센터
  11. https://jkms.org/pdf/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e203
  12. 3.5 Suicidal behaviours | TB Knowledge Sharing
  13. Overview | Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence | Guidance | NICE
  14. Hospital-Based Psychosocial Case Management and Suicide Prevention in South Korea: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Health Care Safety | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
  15. Assertive case management versus enhanced usual care for people with mental health problems who had attempted suicide and were admitted to hospital emergency departments in Japan (ACTION-J): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial - ScienceDirect
  16. Effect of an Emergency Department Process Improvement Package on Suicide Prevention: The ED-SAFE 2 Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial - PMC
  17. Emergency Department Intervention Reduces Adult Suicide Risk - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
  18. Effectiveness of brief interventions and contacts after suicide attempt: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC
  19. Safety Planning Interventions for Suicide Prevention in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PMC

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