Examining Suicide Trends and Psychosocial Correlations in Georgia: An Epidemiological Analysis from 2017 to 2022

Background: Suicide is a pressing issue globally, particularly among young people, and is a significant concern in low- and middle-income countries. A prior study by Kiladze and colleagues highlighted a surge in suicide rates in Georgia between 2011 and 2014. Additionally, studies have shown that suicide risk may be exacerbated by an array of psychiatric and socio-environmental factors. Aim: The study aims to uncover suicide trends in Georgia and understand their associations with different mental health and social conditions. Methods: Based on the data sourced from various government agencies, the study analyzed suicide and suicide attempt cases, mental health data, relative poverty rates, and domestic violence incidents. To assess statistical significance, the t-test and Pearson coefficient were used to calculate p-values. Results: The findings revealed a stark 53.68% increase in suicides from 2017 to 2022. Men were more prone to suicide, and their attempts were more often fatal. Suicide rates among individuals under 18 were significantly high and correlated with behavioral and emotional disorders. Substance use disorders have a strong link to suicide among men. Domestic violence, especially sexual violence, played a disturbing role in this surge. Conclusion: In Georgia, suicides surged significantly, contrasting the mere two percent increase in the United States. This can be linked to mental health issues, notably Substance Use Disorder in men, and behavioral disorders in those under 18. Domestic violence, which had a pronounced increase, also contributed. Despite data limitations, our study underscores these concerns, emphasizing the need for further analysis.