Recognized as a national suicide prevention expert contributing to the advancement of suicide prevention initiatives

Evaluated regional projects over four years and proposed practical improvements

Leads efforts in community mental health promotion and counselor training

[September 16, 2025]

<From left, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare LEE Hyung-hoon and Professor LEE Yoon-ju, Department of Education, YU>

 Professor LEE Yoon-ju of the Department of Education at Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) was honored with a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare at the 2025 Suicide Prevention Day Ceremony on September 10.The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to suicide prevention, in accordance with relevant national legislation.

 Professor LEE has served as a board member and advisor for the Korea Youth Suicide Prevention Foundation and has authored numerous books and scholarly articles on suicide prevention counseling, establishing her academic expertise in the field.In particular, as a member of the evaluation committee of the Korea Foundatio for Suicide Prevention (KFSP), she has played a key role over the past four years in assessing suicide prevention projects across 17 metropolitan and provincial governments nationwide. By closely analyzing each region’s characteristics and presenting improvement strategies and actionable plans for subsequent projects, she has contributed to enhancing the effectiveness of suicide prevention policies on the ground.

As a counseling specialist, Professor LEE has also been dedicated to public lectures and active research on suicide prevention and the value of life. She has placed strong emphasis on training professional counselors and has significantly contributed to community mental health by mentoring and supervising school counselors, youth counseling center staff, and educational office counseling professionals to strengthen their expertise.