Mental Health of Adolescents in Russia: Trends in Psychiatric and Addiction Morbidity

Abstract

This article presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of general (prevalence) and primary (incidence) morbidity of mental and substance use disorders among the adolescent population (aged 15–17) in the Russian Federation from 2018 to 2024. The study is based on data from official federal statistical reporting (Forms No. 10, No. 11) and reports from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat). The methodology included calculating intensive indicators per 100,000 population, analyzing their dynamics, assessing trend significance using the Wald–Wolfowitz runs test, and calculating growth rates. The analysis revealed divergent trends: a statistically significant increase in general (+13.2%, p<0.05) and primary (+26.4%, p<0.05) morbidity of non-psychotic disorders, particularly affective and neurotic disorders, occurred against a backdrop of a marked decrease in indicators related to alcohol use (general morbidity decreased by 55.2%, p<0.05). At the same time, stability and even a slight increase in drug addiction indicators were noted (total +5.6%, p < 0.05), which, according to the authors, is associated with the transformation of the psychoactive substance market toward synthetic drugs and their active digital distribution. The results are interpreted within the context of the biopsychosocial model, the neurophysiological vulnerability of the adolescent brain, changes in diagnostic approaches, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the digital transformation of the drug distribution market. The need for the development of comprehensive psychoprophylaxis and low-threshold support services in educational institutions, as well as the strengthening of interagency cooperation to address new challenges, is substantiated.