Suicide and Russia

Jeff Cherry, Clear Creek High School 2008

1

Suicide and Suicide and RussiaRussia

Looking at a cloudy Looking at a cloudy futurefuture

2Jeff Cherry, Clear Creek High School 2008

The Dark FactsThe Dark Facts 58,000 Russians 58,000 Russians

commit suicide commit suicide each year (34.3 each year (34.3 per 100,000).per 100,000).

Russia ranks 3Russia ranks 3rdrd globally to former globally to former Soviet republics Soviet republics Lithuania and Lithuania and Belarus in suicide Belarus in suicide rates.rates.

Suicide is the # 2 Suicide is the # 2 cause of death in cause of death in Russia behind Russia behind heart disease.heart disease.





Basic DemographicsBasic Demographics Largest group of suicide victims in Largest group of suicide victims in

Russia:Russia: Males ages 45-54Males ages 45-54

106.7 per 100,000106.7 per 100,000 Women are most prone after the age of Women are most prone after the age of

7575 27.4 per 100,00027.4 per 100,000

Men are 6 times more likely to commit Men are 6 times more likely to commit suicide than femalessuicide than females

Higher rates of suicide for military Higher rates of suicide for military personnelpersonnel


Faces of painFaces of pain


What causes suicidal behavior?What causes suicidal behavior? Why didn’t mental health improve Why didn’t mental health improve

after the fall of communism?after the fall of communism? Is there a geographical pattern to Is there a geographical pattern to

suicide?suicide? Is there a historical precedent for Is there a historical precedent for

high suicide rates in Russia?high suicide rates in Russia? What health issues exist to create What health issues exist to create

suicidal depression?suicidal depression? How do the economic conditions of a How do the economic conditions of a

country contribute to the problem?country contribute to the problem?


Psychology of suicidePsychology of suicideWhat causes suicidal What causes suicidal

behavior?behavior?

““the extent and diversity of facts related the extent and diversity of facts related to suicide are intimidating and to suicide are intimidating and baffling….”baffling….” Thomas Joiner – “Why People Die by Suicide”Thomas Joiner – “Why People Die by Suicide”

Hopelessness brought on by factors Hopelessness brought on by factors such as:such as: Varying degrees of mental illnessVarying degrees of mental illness Physiological conditionsPhysiological conditions Economic situationEconomic situation Every suicide has its own storyEvery suicide has its own story


A high profile case sometimes A high profile case sometimes gets attention, even when not gets attention, even when not

in Russiain Russia Russian Russian

supermodel supermodel Ruslana Ruslana Korshunova leapt Korshunova leapt to her death to her death from her NYC, 9from her NYC, 9thth story apartment story apartment on June 30, 2008on June 30, 2008


The euphoria of the break-up The euphoria of the break-up of the Soviet Union was short-of the Soviet Union was short-

livedlived


Uncontrolled CapitalismUncontrolled Capitalism Why didn’t mental health improve Why didn’t mental health improve

after the fall of communism?after the fall of communism? The 1990’s saw a The 1990’s saw a “grabification”“grabification”

of virtually all assets.of virtually all assets. Growing mafia and control by Growing mafia and control by

“oligarchs”“oligarchs” led to continued led to continued shortages for most and runaway shortages for most and runaway inflation.inflation.

16% rise in mortality during the 16% rise in mortality during the 1990’s attributed to suicide.1990’s attributed to suicide.


Global geography of Global geography of suicidesuicide


Geography of Russian Geography of Russian suicidesuicide

Higher in rural areas than urban areasHigher in rural areas than urban areas Largely rural districts of Koryak and Largely rural districts of Koryak and

Komi have Russia’s highest suicide Komi have Russia’s highest suicide rate.rate. Koryak 133.5 per 100,000Koryak 133.5 per 100,000 Komi 110.3 per 100,000Komi 110.3 per 100,000

Cause of death in cities are often Cause of death in cities are often difficult to determine and may actually difficult to determine and may actually be higher.be higher. St. Petersburg 17.8St. Petersburg 17.8 Moscow 11.0Moscow 11.0



Komi Republic Koryak Komi Republic Koryak A.D.A.D.


Dostoevsky’s RussiaDostoevsky’s RussiaIs there a historical precedent Is there a historical precedent

for high suicide rates in Russia?for high suicide rates in Russia? Tsarist Russia, starting in the 1860’s Tsarist Russia, starting in the 1860’s

saw a significant rise in suicides.saw a significant rise in suicides. Many social and political reforms Many social and political reforms

accompanied this time period including accompanied this time period including the freeing of the serfs.the freeing of the serfs.

Newspapers and journals reported this Newspapers and journals reported this newly addressed sociological issue.newly addressed sociological issue.

Dostoevsky wrote about it both in Dostoevsky wrote about it both in newspaper and in his book, “newspaper and in his book, “The The PossessedPossessed”.”.


Tsar Alexander II is Tsar Alexander II is assassinated during this assassinated during this

time of social turmoiltime of social turmoil


Fyodor Dostoevsky Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-81)(1821-81)

Dealt with Dealt with suicide and the suicide and the nihilistic times nihilistic times of the 1860’s of the 1860’s and 1870’s in and 1870’s in “The “The Possessed”.Possessed”.


What social conditions exist What social conditions exist to create serious depression?to create serious depression?

Alcoholism in Alcoholism in Russia is Russia is rampant, with rampant, with strong evidence strong evidence of its detrimental of its detrimental effect on the effect on the health of the health of the Russian people, Russian people, and specifically and specifically to higher suicide to higher suicide rates.rates.


Alcoholism in RussiaAlcoholism in Russia 8 million men and 2 8 million men and 2

million women are million women are alcoholicsalcoholics

500,000 young 500,000 young people under the people under the age of 15 are age of 15 are alcoholicsalcoholics


Options are limitlessOptions are limitless


The anti-alcohol The anti-alcohol campaigncampaign

Mikhail Gorbachev attempted to Mikhail Gorbachev attempted to slow the rate of alcoholism and slow the rate of alcoholism and its effects in a campaign in the its effects in a campaign in the 1980’s to make drinking un-1980’s to make drinking un-patriotic and un-Soviet.patriotic and un-Soviet.

Lower mortality rates and a 23 to Lower mortality rates and a 23 to 100,000 suicide rate during this 100,000 suicide rate during this period was effective in the short period was effective in the short termterm..


Drunkenness NO! … A Drunkenness NO! … A communist must prefer communist must prefer

milk or water!milk or water!


Alcohol is the best partner Alcohol is the best partner Count Count the days withoutthe days withoutin crime!in crime! Alcohol. (Or count Alcohol. (Or count the the days in the gulag). days in the gulag).

The choice is clear!The choice is clear!


Post Communist effectPost Communist effect The state monopoly lifted in 1992 The state monopoly lifted in 1992

led to an international market of led to an international market of alcohol into Russia.alcohol into Russia.

Homemade spirits called Homemade spirits called samogonsamogon or or gamyrkagamyrka also flood the market. also flood the market.

Inflation of food prices do NOT Inflation of food prices do NOT affect alcohol prices as taxes go affect alcohol prices as taxes go uncollected.uncollected.

Alcoholism increasesAlcoholism increases


VodkaVodka - a new spin on - a new spin on chesschess


Anything with alcoholAnything with alcohol

Cleaning fluids, Cleaning fluids, cologne, anti-cologne, anti-freeze and freeze and virtually anything virtually anything with alcohol is with alcohol is drank.drank.

43% of alcohol 43% of alcohol deathsdeaths are are directly related to directly related to one of these one of these products.products.


Effect on SuicideEffect on Suicide 12% reduction in life expectancy 12% reduction in life expectancy

between 1990-1994 in post between 1990-1994 in post Gorbachev era.Gorbachev era.

Findings:Findings: Frequent and heavy drinking lead to Frequent and heavy drinking lead to

higher rates of suicide.higher rates of suicide. Cultures preferring distilled spirits Cultures preferring distilled spirits

have higher suicide rates than wine have higher suicide rates than wine and beer cultures.and beer cultures.

Acute intoxication also leads to Acute intoxication also leads to increased incidence of suicide.increased incidence of suicide. (Gruenwald, Ponicki, & Mitchell 1995; (Gruenwald, Ponicki, & Mitchell 1995;

Razvodosky 2003; Rossow 2000)Razvodosky 2003; Rossow 2000)


HIV/AIDS and Suicide in HIV/AIDS and Suicide in RussiaRussia

UN statistics suggest anywhere UN statistics suggest anywhere from 550,000 to 1.6 million in from 550,000 to 1.6 million in Russia infected with HIV.Russia infected with HIV.

Increase in infection rates starting Increase in infection rates starting in 1996.in 1996.

Primary source, the increase in Primary source, the increase in intravenous drug usage. intravenous drug usage.

50% of all new cases are women 50% of all new cases are women and children.and children.


Under-reported HIV Under-reported HIV cases (2001)cases (2001)

Russian Federal AIDS CentreRussian Federal AIDS Centre


13,000 orphaned HIV 13,000 orphaned HIV children as of 2005.children as of 2005.


Industrial areas most Industrial areas most proneprone


Public demands Public demands government responsegovernment response


Ads to address the HIV Ads to address the HIV problemproblem

Almost 100 new cases Almost 100 new cases of HIV are registered of HIV are registered every day every day

It is estimated that It is estimated that 1.2% of adults are 1.2% of adults are HIV-positiveHIV-positive

80% of those infected 80% of those infected are 15-30 years old are 15-30 years old

43% of all newly 43% of all newly registered HIV cases registered HIV cases are women of are women of childbearing agechildbearing age

As of June 2006, 63 As of June 2006, 63 harm reduction harm reduction programs were under programs were under way in Russia.way in Russia.


The impact on suicideThe impact on suicide

WHO report says there is at least an WHO report says there is at least an 8 times greater risk of suicide 8 times greater risk of suicide among AIDS patients.among AIDS patients.

Most suicides occur shortly after Most suicides occur shortly after discovery of the discovery of the HIV HIV virus.virus.

26% of recently HIV diagnosed 26% of recently HIV diagnosed women in one study attempted women in one study attempted suicide in NYC.suicide in NYC. Russian numbers have yet to be Russian numbers have yet to be

determineddetermined


Economics and suicide in Economics and suicide in RussiaRussia

Suicide rates rose during the Suicide rates rose during the 1990’s as the economic free for 1990’s as the economic free for all hurt most Russian citizens.all hurt most Russian citizens.

Rising unemployment rates, Rising unemployment rates, massive declines in per capita massive declines in per capita income, and failed reforms led to income, and failed reforms led to this this increase in suicide and increase in suicide and increase in overall mortality in increase in overall mortality in RussiaRussia..


The State DissolvesThe State Dissolves

Loss of State run industries led Loss of State run industries led to large scale unemployment.to large scale unemployment.

State subsidies disappeared for State subsidies disappeared for food and housing.food and housing.

People who had jobs were left People who had jobs were left with no support network, no with no support network, no expendable income, and no expendable income, and no credit.credit.


Economics and suicide in Economics and suicide in RussiaRussia

It is estimated It is estimated that suicides that suicides were responsible were responsible for for approximately a approximately a 16% increase in 16% increase in the deathsthe deaths during the during the 1990’s alone.1990’s alone.


21st century – Putin and 21st century – Putin and beyondbeyond

Suicide rates continue to remain Suicide rates continue to remain one of the highest in the world.one of the highest in the world.

Health care facilities lag behind Health care facilities lag behind world standards for industrialized world standards for industrialized nations.nations.

Chronic diseases brought about Chronic diseases brought about by lifestyle choices threaten by lifestyle choices threaten longevity of this nation.longevity of this nation.

GDP ranks 58GDP ranks 58thth in the world and in the world and its HDI at 67its HDI at 67thth globally. globally.


SourcesSourcesHenriksson, Markus M., Erkki T. Isometsä, Päivi S. Hietanen, Hillevi M. Aro, and Jouko K. Henriksson, Markus M., Erkki T. Isometsä, Päivi S. Hietanen, Hillevi M. Aro, and Jouko K.

Lönnqvist. "Mental Disorders in Cancer Suicides." Lönnqvist. "Mental Disorders in Cancer Suicides." Journal of AffectiveDisordersJournal of AffectiveDisorders . 36 . 36 (1995):11–20.(1995):11–20.

Mitaishvili, Ramaz. 15, April 2008. Mitaishvili, Ramaz. 15, April 2008. Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research.Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research. Russian peacekeeping in Abkhazia and suicide.Russian peacekeeping in Abkhazia and suicide.

United NationsUnited Nations. (2007) UN Aids Annual Report: Knowing Your Epidemic. (2007) UN Aids Annual Report: Knowing Your Epidemic

>http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2008/jc1535_annual_report07_en.pdf>http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2008/jc1535_annual_report07_en.pdf

Paperno, Irina. (1997). Paperno, Irina. (1997). Suicide as a Cultural Institution in Dostoevsky’s Russia.Suicide as a Cultural Institution in Dostoevsky’s Russia. Cornell Cornell University PressUniversity Press

Krastev, Nikola. Krastev, Nikola. “CIS: UN Body Takes on Rising Suicide Rates”.“CIS: UN Body Takes on Rising Suicide Rates”. Radio Free Europe/Radio Radio Free Europe/Radio LibertyLiberty. 9, September 2006. (2008)http://www.rferl.org/articleprintview/1071203.html. 9, September 2006. (2008)http://www.rferl.org/articleprintview/1071203.html

““Suicide rates in Russia on the increase”.Suicide rates in Russia on the increase”. The LancetThe Lancet. Vol. 362 19, July 2003 (2008). Vol. 362 19, July 2003 (2008) <www.thelancet.com <www.thelancet.com

Transatlantic Partners Against AidsTransatlantic Partners Against Aids. 2008. July 2006 Policy Brief #3(2). 2008. July 2006 Policy Brief #3(2)

HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Russia and Measures Required to Avert its Further SpreadHIV/AIDS Epidemic in Russia and Measures Required to Avert its Further Spread

Brainerd, Elizabeth. (January 2001). Brainerd, Elizabeth. (January 2001). Economic Reform and Mortality in the Former Soviet Economic Reform and Mortality in the Former Soviet Union: A Study of the Suicide Epidemics in the 1990’sUnion: A Study of the Suicide Epidemics in the 1990’s , Williams College and Center for , Williams College and Center for International Development, Harvard University, and IZA Bonn.International Development, Harvard University, and IZA Bonn.

Yelizarov, Valery, PhD Economics, Head of the Center of Population Studies, Moscow State Yelizarov, Valery, PhD Economics, Head of the Center of Population Studies, Moscow State University. University. United Nations in Russia.United Nations in Russia. (2008). (2008). Demographic Policy in Russia: From Demographic Policy in Russia: From Reflection to ActionReflection to Action


SourcesSourcesYelizarov, Valery, PhD Economics, Head of the Center of Population Studies, Yelizarov, Valery, PhD Economics, Head of the Center of Population Studies,

Moscow State University. Moscow State University. United Nations in Russia.United Nations in Russia. (2008). (2008). Demographic Demographic Policy in Russia: From Reflection to ActionPolicy in Russia: From Reflection to Action

Rancans E., Renbert E.S. & Jacobsson L. (2001). Major demographic, social and Rancans E., Renbert E.S. & Jacobsson L. (2001). Major demographic, social and economic factors associated to suicide rates in Latvia, 1980-1998. Acta economic factors associated to suicide rates in Latvia, 1980-1998. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia, 103, 275-281Psychiatrica Scandinavia, 103, 275-281

Bertolote, Jose Manoel and Fleischmann, Alexandra (2002). A global perspective Bertolote, Jose Manoel and Fleischmann, Alexandra (2002). A global perspective in the epidemiologic of suicide. Suicidologi 2002.in the epidemiologic of suicide. Suicidologi 2002.

Gruenewald, P. J., Ponicki, W.R. & Mitchell, P.R. (1995). Suicide rates and Gruenewald, P. J., Ponicki, W.R. & Mitchell, P.R. (1995). Suicide rates and alcohol consumption in the United States, 1970-1989. Addiction, 90, 1063-alcohol consumption in the United States, 1970-1989. Addiction, 90, 1063-10751075

Razvodosky, Y.E. (2003). Association between distilled spirits consumption and Razvodosky, Y.E. (2003). Association between distilled spirits consumption and violent mortality rate. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 10, 235-250.violent mortality rate. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 10, 235-250.

Pridemore, William Alex, PhD, (1999Pridemore, William Alex, PhD, (1999). Heavy Drinking and Suicide Mortality in ). Heavy Drinking and Suicide Mortality in Russia, Russia, Indiana UniversityIndiana University

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Suicide and Russia