International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Behavioral Health

A comprehensive analysis of the current situation in the post-Soviet Russia suggested that children and adolescents represent one of the most vulnerable and neglected social groups. According to expert estimates there are almost 2 million homeless and neglected children and adolescents in Russia, 185.000 adolescents per year commit crimes and are legally prosecuted; every fifth of them is sentenced to a prison facility each year. Among the specific features of juvenile crime in Russia is the changing nature of the crimes which has become more insolent and violent.

There is substantial evidence that young offenders are at increased risk for the development of psychosocial and health problems, with a prevalence of psychiatric disorders that is 3 to 5 times higher than in the general population. The psychiatric co-morbidity among youth involved with the juvenile justice system is particularly noteworthy. Many young offenders have more than one co-morbid mental and/or substance use disorder, which makes it even more complex to provide an adequate diagnosis and treatment. In this context, the issue of mental health of incarcerated adolescents becomes crucial, with a need for an adequate psychiatric diagnostic assessment, leading to more individualized and effective interventions.

High rates of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse in juvenile offenders necessitate that these problems also be addressed in the treatment programs provided by the juvenile justice services. However, the studies of mental health problems in Russian juvenile delinquents are nearly absent and thus, evaluation of current mental health needs of youth in the Russian juvenile justice system becomes a key imperative.

Such work has direct implications for all professionals involved in the prevention of antisocial behaviour and rehabilitation of delinquent youth. Improving psychiatric services for incarcerated juveniles can help in reducing psychosocial torment, and potentially decrease recidivism rates, along with the material and emotional burden that antisocial behaviour posits on the society. Interventions should also target multiple risk factors related to continuous antisocial involvement, such as psychopathology, substance abuse, violence and environmental factors.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)