Ways of committing suicide: differences between generations (on the example of St. Petersburg)

Suicides in Saint Petersburg in recent years have not been sufficiently described, especially considering the structure of generations representing modern society. Purpose. To analyze the dynamics of suicide mortality with a focus on the evolution of ways of suicide among different age groups (generations) and taking into account the period of the pandemic. Methodology. Data on 2471 cases of suicide in St. Petersburg for 2016-2022 provided by the City Bureau of Forensic Medical examinations have been analyzed with regards to sex, age, method of self-harm, and dynamics over the years. The 95% confidence intervals were calculated as per Wilson. Statistical data processing was carried out using the SPSS program, version 26. Results. It is found that among the younger generations (digital generation Z to 19 years and millennials generation Y, 20-39 years) the main trend is an increase in suicide mortality, while among generation X (40-59 years) and post-war generation of «baby boomers» there is a decrease. During the first year of the pandemic, the main trend was a reduction in suicidal mortality, while in 2021 there were some slight increases, in particular among the elderly. In the whole population suicide methods were represented as follows: hangings – 64,12%, falling from height – 18,51%, sharp objects injuries – 5,71%, poisoning – 5,43%, firearms – 4,58%, drowning – 0,49%, self-immolation – 0,41% and falls under transport – 0,24%. Another 0,53 percent cumulatively constitute other rarely used methods. The lowest proportion (12,8%) of falls from height occur among the «middle age» generation (40-59 years), while among the younger (20-39 years) and older (over 60 years) generations this method appeared to be more common (19,6% and 20,3% respectively), and among the generation Z up to 19 years - three times more common (37,1%, significant). A steady and significant jumps increase is observed among all age groups from 2016 to 2022, but most of all among the Z generation. Within this digital generation, children under 15 use this method even more frequently than hanging. Generation Z also demonstrates a high mortality rate among women, with more girls than boys committing suicide. Conclusions. There are persistent differences in the methods of suicide used in different age groups that make generations of society. Falls from a height have been rising for several years. Fatal suicide behavior of girls is of great concern. Possible causes of observed tendencies and preventive measures are discussed, and the hypothesis of the role (along with other factors) of intensive urban high-rise building construction as a possible reason for the increase of suicidal jumps from height is put forward.