'Learning the End of Life to Teach Students the Meaning of Life'

Health teachers are learning about 'well-dying' through a program at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, aiming to equip them with the tools to discuss life's meaning with their students. The initiative, part of the hospital's 'Hospice Companion ON' project, focuses on the message that well-dying is not about dying well, but about living well.

During a recent seminar, participants were prompted to consider what they would do if it were their last day, leading to reflections on the values they wish to impart to their students. The sessions encourage viewing death as a mirror that clarifies life's values, promoting introspection on relationships, gratitude, and living without regret. Kim Hyun-kyung, a nurse and team leader at the hospital's hospice center, stressed that contemplating death is not for the purpose of dying, but for living more fully.

“

Contemplating death is not for the purpose of dying, but for living more fully.

The program also addresses the reality that many young people experience loss through the death of family, friends, or pets, as well as through social tragedies or suicide. It highlights the lack of adults available to discuss these experiences with them and emphasizes the role of school health teachers as educators who support students' overall well-being, not just their physical health.

Participants expressed that the training provided a valuable opportunity to re-evaluate their priorities and understand that 'well-dying' is about living in the present moment. They committed to conveying this message of life's preciousness to their students. Kim Dae-gyun, head of the hospice center, stated that well-dying education is fundamentally about respecting life and learning its value, and pledged to continue offering such programs in schools to foster empathy and a sense of life's importance among students.

“

Well-dying education is not about preparing for death, but about learning the preciousness of life.