Teachers sought professional advice most for students’ behavioral and mental problems, according to data from a telephone counseling service for teachers released on Friday.

Behavioral problems such as attention deficit disorder were the most frequently mentioned issues, accounting for 31 percent of inquiries. Mental problems such as depression were second with 24 percent, followed by suicide issues with 14 percent.

The data is based on a total of 218 phone calls made by teachers to Seoul’s teacher counseling line run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government since last year.

“More teachers are in need of professional help to offer counseling to their troubled students. We have seen problems facing students are related to complex social problems that need to be addressed by society as a whole,” said Kim Chang-mo, director of welfare policy of the city government.

Middle school teachers sought help the most, making up 44 percent of cases. They were followed by high school teachers with 30 percent and elementary school teachers with 26 percent.

In one case, a 30-year-old middle school teacher sought professional advice about depression and suicidal urges suffered by one of her students.

With professional help, the teacher was able to help her out of depression that had afflicted her after falling out with her friend, city officials said.

The phone counseling service for teachers is available throughout the week between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 1577-7018. 


By Lee Woo-young

(wylee@heraldcorp.com)