Age-Specific Suicide Rates in the Slavic and Baltic Regions of the Former USSR During Perestroika, in Comparison With 22 European Countries

Age-specific suicide rates in the Baltic & Slavic regions of the former USSR were studied for 1984-90, & compared to those of 22 European countries. Suicide rates in the Slavic & Baltic regions increased directly with age for women, & showed a bimodal distribution for men. In most of the 22 European countries, the suicide rates of both genders increased directly with age. Results suggest that perestroika contributed to a unique pattern of male suicide mortality in the Slavic & Baltic regions.