Suicides in the Chuvash Republic (according to electronic media in 2002-2021)

The aim of the study: to study the structure, dynamics and motives of completed suicides in Chuvashia from 2002 to 2021. Materials and methods. In the electronic media of the Chuvash Republic for 20 years (2002-2021) it was possible to collect information on 409 cases (men 281, women 128) of suicides (from 2 to 54 cases per year) committed by persons aged 11 to 93 years old (mean age 35.8±16.9 years). For each case of suicide, demographic indicators (gender, age), the presence of mental disorders, alcohol use, probable causes (motives) were written out. Results. The majority (78.2%) of suicides were of working age (18-59 years of age). Hanging was the most common way of voluntary death (54.5%), which was more common in men (59.4% vs 43.8% in women), especially in the group of 18-59 years old. This was followed by jumping (falling) from a height (30.6%); here, among suicides, women were already in the lead (43.8% vs 24.6% for men). The other methods of suicide accounted for about 15% in total. At the same time, there were cases of death with the help of firearms, which were resorted to only by men (7.5%). Of the causes of suicide, conflicts in interpersonal relationships were in the lead (28.3%). Particularly significant was the break in relations with the opposite sex for girls, as a result of which they committed suicide (41.1% vs 18.2% for men). In almost half of the cases (48.2%), the motives for leaving life could not be established. In men, suicide was more often caused by various administrative punishments (7.4%), and in women, it was the behavior of others leading them to commit suicide (6.3% vs 1.8% in men). Mental disorders in suicides occurred in isolated cases (2%), intoxication somewhat more often (13%). Hanging in the last decade was mentioned much less often in journalistic reports (64.4% vs 45.6% in 2012-2021), and jumping from a height more than twice as often (40.9% vs 19.1%). Conclusion. Over the past 20 years, the age of suicides has decreased, the structure of suicide methods and their causes have changed somewhat. More research is needed to develop effective suicide prevention programs in the republic.