Why Hundreds of Russian Teenagers Die Every Year

Abstract

Russia has nearly the highest incidence of suicide among children and teenagers in the world. We attempted to create one of the most comprehensive in-depth reviews on this important topic, which is highly relevant for accelerating progress in reducing the thousands of suicides of children and adolescents, most of which are the result of easily preventable or treatable conditions. We analyzed the published data (in both English and Russian) on the prevalence of suicide in minors, current trends related to the phenomenon, and its possible causes. This report shows that suicide is the leading cause of death in Russia for children and teenagers, with the rate among girls exceeding that of boys. The suicide rate in this age category has increased in the last decade and is still growing. We hope that this report will assist health care providers in identifying and managing Russian adolescents at risk for suicide. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(7):314–324.]