Suicide Mortality and Political Transition: Russians in Estonia Compared to the Estonians in Estonia and to the Population of Russia

Age-adjusted suicide rates were compared for Russians in Estonia, Estonians in Estonia, & inhabitants of Russia in radically chaged socio-political situations. High, but still lower suicide rates for Russians in Estonia were observed in comparison with Estonians during 1983-1990 when Estonia was part of the Soviet Union. During the transition period, 1991-1998, a sharp increase in suicide rates was observed for all 3 populations. The Estonian Russians had a significantly higher suicide mortality rate than the other 2 groups. This appears to have been provoked by the sociopolitical change that saw the Russians go from a privileged status to immigrant status. (28 refs.)