Suicide Mortality in the Regions of the Northwestern Federal District in the Post-Pandemic Period

Background: suicide mortality during the pandemic, contrary to many fears, did not increase, but the situation in the postpandemic period, when new challenges emerged, has not been studied yet. The aim was to evaluate suicide mortality trends in St.-Petersburg (SPb) and Leningrad Region (LR) during last years, including postpandemic period. Material and Methods: data on completed suicides presented by the medical forensic bureaus and official statistics (Petrostat) were analyzed. The average annual mortality rates per 100000 of population were calculated with confidence intervals (as per Wilson). The division of society into generations — up to 19 years old (generation Z), 20–39 years (millennials, Y), 40–59 years (generation X), and > 60 years old (“baby boomers” and “traditionalists”) was used for detailed analysis. Results: over the last seven years, surveillance in the Northwestern Federal District has shown a significant (30–50%) drop in mortality in 2023 for certain subjects, including SPb and LR. LR has substantially higher suicide indices than SPb, most likely as a result of a larger percentage of the population living in rural areas. Men over 60 and those between the ages of 40 and 59 seemed to experience the most notable and statistically significant decline in suicide mortality in 2023. While the suicide mortality rate among women in the older groups is generally decreasing, in women under 39 it appeared to be either stable or increasing. From the perspective of the role of social integration, according to Durkheim theory, the sharp decline in male suicides can be attributed to increased social cohesion, signs of social optimism, as well as military and economic mobilization during the special military operation. Conclusion: preventive measures should be taken into consideration when significant contingents return from the conliict zone, taking into account possible increase of prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and potential employment competition between males of different ages.

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