Trends in the mental health in children and adolescents in Russia

Introduction. Mental health disorders in the world and the Russian Federation pose a serious problem, and their increase in childhood and adolescence is a determining factor in the development of diseases in later life.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the follow up data of official sources on the specifics of the incidence of mental disorders in Russia of a children 0–17 year contingent with a differentiation of 0–14 and 15–17 years.

Materials and methods. Materials from official statistics of the Ministry of Health of Russia and Rosstat were used in dynamics for various sections of the study as a whole for the 7-year period over 2015–2021, highlighting the years 2019–2021 to potentially identify the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. The analysis was carried out using statistical, analytical, and other methods.

Results. The terminology on the problem was discussed. According to the analysis materials, among the reasons for taking in the Russian Federation under observation with a diagnosis for the first time in life (per 100 thousand population) in the “Mental and behavioural disorders” class. The leading reason for the entire population was “psychosis and dementia” — 55.1%; in children (0–14 years old) and in children, especially adolescents — “non-psychotic mental disorders” — 38.5% and 50.2%, respectively. An increase in childhood disability was revealed, both in general and for the studied reasons. Recommendations substantiated.

Research limitations. The research materials are limited to the results of the analysis of official statistical information (indicators of morbidity, disability of the population) for the period of 2015–2021.

Conclusion. Based on the research materials, we can conclude that the presented characteristics of the incidence of mental disorders and behavioural disorders in the population of Russia, certain negative trends cannot but cause concern, indicating the need for adequate decisions to be made by all levels of the organization and management to provide effective medical care with preventive measures for the adult and child population in Russia.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require submission of a biomedical ethics committee opinion or other documents.

Contribution of the authors. All authors made an equivalent contribution to the preparation of the publication, including the approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of its parts.

Acknowledgment. The study did not have financial support.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Received: April 27, 2023 / Accepted: May 19, 2023 / Published: April 29, 2024