Youth Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services for Children and Families in Siberia

Abstract

The rates of youth suicide in the Russian Federation are among the highest in the world, however, there is a 60-fold difference in the rates across the Russian regions, with Siberia having one of the highest rates of child and adolescent suicide. The objective of the study is to examine the relation of registered psychiatric morbidity to the prevalence of child and adolescent suicide in Siberia. Statistical analysis of the time trends showed substantial progressive decrease in primary adolescent morbidity from 2009 to 2013 and statistically significant decrease in prevalence of child and adolescent suicide from 2011 to 2013 in twelve Siberian regions. Registered morbidity in Siberian Federal District was closely related to the prevalence of child and adolescent suicide: the more registered psychiatric disorders and the higher rate of primary morbidity in the region, the lower child and adolescent suicide rates. The identification of mental disorders in children explained more than 40% of the variance in child suicide rates across the twelve Siberian regions, whereas registered psychiatric morbidity in adolescence explained more than 57% of the variance in adolescent suicide rates. These findings attest to the social impact of child and adolescent mental health services and provide a strong case for the development of appropriate needed services. A Multidimensional Youth Suicide Prevention Programme implemented in health care system of Siberian region is presented. The programme includes monitoring of suicidal behaviour and high-risk groups, early crisis help for children and families and information campaigns.