In South Korea, young people are often faced with tremendous pressure over schooling or long working hours. Experts are now coming out strongly against this dynamic, as coupled with a recent economic downturn, it's adding even more stress in a country which already has well-documented problems with suicide. Luckily, the advice seems to be hitting home with some going out of their way to find the inner-peace they crave. Jack Barton has this report.

South Korea has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past half century, from one of the world's poorest nations, to its current status as one of the richest. Profound growth has brought many benefits, but also created a stressed-out society with one of the world's highest suicide rates.

JACK BARTON SEOUL "And in the same way that South Koreans found ways to quickly transform their country into an economic powerhouse, they are also developing equally innovative methods to deal with the inevitable stress of living in one of the most, if not the most, competitive societies."

Like a short stay at this mock jail called the Prison Inside Me. Here, volunteer inmates decide how long they will be locked up without a phone or computer, so they can clear their heads.

SUK JUNG-WOO ANTHROPOLOGY STUDENT "I'm stressed out because I don't have confidence and society doesn't make me feel confident when I try to do something by myself."

The Hyowon Healing Centre goes even further offering people a funeral while they're still alive.

JEONG YONG-MUN DIRECTOR, HYOWON HEALING CENTER "The program helps everyone forget about any thoughts of suicide. Some people come here with those kinds of thoughts."

Also in attendance, people also just feeling the pressure of the daily grind.

LEE GA-HYUN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE STUDENT "I was trying to fit into the mold that I had made, but I think, having faced death, that is meaningless. I learned I shouldn't desire anything like that. I should focus on the present."

The state is trying to do its part. Maximum working hours were lowered last year to 52 hours and there are attempts to raise the minimum wage and pensions. In the meantime, there are also more traditional ways to reflect on life. Like a stay in one of Korea's many Buddhist temples now having to turn away some people due to a rise in demand.

JIN GAK MONK, YONGMUN TEMPLE, YANGPYEONG "In the beginning, not many people were interested, but there has been a big rise in interest and it's stable now."

There are, of course, meditation sessions. And something that finally inspires me to cross my not-so-flexible chair-trained legs: the calming tea ceremony. And, perhaps fittingly, at the end of this journey I think I have finally discovered my own personal mantra.

JACK BARTON YONGMUN TEMPLE CENTRE "When all else fails, have a cup of tea."

Jack Barton, CGTN, South Korea.