Child and adolescent suicide is one of the most pressing issues in modern society, where behind every such case lie questions concerning the psychological well-being of children, the quality of family relationships, the safety of the educational environment, and the effectiveness of the psychological support system. This is precisely why the World Health Organization views suicide not merely as a medical problem, but as a significant public health concern requiring a comprehensive, inter-agency approach.

Particularly alarming is the adolescent period, during which intense physiological and psychological changes occur, personality is formed, sensitivity to others' evaluations increases, and the influence of peers and social networks intensifies. Any crisis situations – such as family conflicts, bullying, cyberbullying, emotional loneliness, academic failures, or romantic disappointments – can be perceived by adolescents far more severely than by adults.

For Kazakhstan, the issue of preventing child and adolescent suicide remains particularly relevant, and for many years international organizations have noted the high rate of youth suicide compared to many other countries. At the same time, experts emphasize that behind the dry statistical indicators lie real human stories, and that most such tragedies can be prevented through timely identification of psychological distress and the provision of professional assistance.

Similar problems are observed in a number of CIS countries, with the historically highest rates of suicide mortality recorded in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus. Despite an overall trend toward gradual decline in suicide rates in recent years, the problem of adolescent suicide remains one of the most complex challenges for the healthcare and education systems of most post-Soviet states.

Statistical data indicate that Kazakhstan has long been among the countries with the highest rates of adolescent suicide. According to studies prepared by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) jointly with the World Health Organization, Kazakhstan ranked first among girls aged 15–19 and second among boys aged 15–19 (after Russia) in suicide mortality rates among countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It was precisely these data that subsequently gave rise to the widely repeated claim that Kazakhstan ranks first in the world in adolescent suicide. However, such a formulation is not entirely accurate, as the data referred to a specific age group and a particular observation period, rather than a global ranking across all ages.

According to current UNICEF analytical materials, Kazakhstan still ranks among the countries with a very high rate of adolescent suicide mortality. The report Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in Kazakhstan (2025) notes that Kazakhstan maintains one of the highest rates of suicide among adolescents and younger children in the world, despite the government's preventive programs and a gradual decline in overall suicide mortality.

One of the most significant risk factors is family conflict. Constant arguments between parents, divorce, emotional rejection, excessive criticism, physical or psychological abuse, and a lack of support and trusting relationships create a sense of hopelessness and loneliness. For a child, the family is the primary source of security, and when this source ceases to fulfill its function, the risk of an emotional crisis increases significantly.

Bullying remains an equally serious problem, where systematic mockery, humiliation, and physical or psychological pressure from peers can lead to the development of anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem. In recent years, traditional bullying has increasingly been joined by cyberbullying – harassment on social networks, messengers, and gaming communities. Unlike the school environment, the internet has no time boundaries; negative messages can arrive around the clock, and the audience for such posts is often much wider, which intensifies the psychological trauma.

The influence of social networks deserves special attention. Constant comparison of oneself with others, the desire to conform to idealized images, and dependence on the number of likes and comments create a feeling of personal inadequacy. The algorithms of digital platforms can repeatedly amplify negative experiences by showing adolescents homogeneous emotionally charged content. In the absence of critical thinking and adult support, such informational influence can exacerbate a crisis state.

Academic pressure plays a significant role as well. High parental expectations, exam preparation, the fear of not living up to family hopes, competition with peers, and constant stress can lead to emotional exhaustion. If an adolescent is convinced that their worth is determined exclusively by grades or achievements, any failure begins to be perceived as a personal catastrophe.

Most adolescents in the throes of a severe emotional crisis signal their condition to those around them in one way or another. Unfortunately, adults often perceive such changes as character traits or typical adolescent behavior, missing the opportunity to provide timely assistance.

The main rule is not to dismiss the adolescent's feelings. Phrases such as "this will pass," "don't make things up," or "other people have much more serious problems" do not help them cope with their experiences. On the contrary, they create a sense of being misunderstood and intensify emotional isolation. For an adolescent, their feelings are real and significant, so it is important for adults to show respect for their emotions.

Prevention of suicidal behavior is not a one-time conversation or a reaction to a tragedy that has already occurred, but rather a systematic and ongoing effort aimed at strengthening the mental health of children and adolescents, developing coping skills for life's difficulties, and creating a safe environment in which every child feels heard and protected.

Crisis intervention is necessary in situations where an adolescent has already expressed suicidal intentions, has attempted suicide, or is in a state of pronounced psychological crisis. In such cases, delaying the pursuit of professional help is unacceptable. The child must be promptly examined by specialists and, if there is an immediate threat to life, referred for emergency psychiatric care. During this period, constant emotional support from the family, ensuring the adolescent's safety, and ongoing psychological support following the resolution of the crisis are particularly important.

Therefore, society's primary task is not only to prevent tragedies but also to foster a culture of trust, respect, and psychological support. Every adolescent should know that experiencing strong emotions, going through a crisis, or seeking help is perfectly normal. Asking for help is a manifestation of inner strength and responsibility for one's own life, not a sign of weakness.

Every child should be confident that, no matter what difficulties arise today, there will always be people nearby ready to listen, understand, and help. This is where genuine prevention of suicidal behavior begins.

Kazbek AKHMETOV,
Psychologist, Doctoral Candidate
at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University