Overview

• At the 'Mental Health‑2025' policy and scientific conference in Ulaanbaatar, eight foreign experts joined Mongolian researchers to present international and national findings on youth suicide.
• Columbia University’s Kristina Hoven reported that adequately collected data in some countries show increases in suicide attempts and deaths among children aged 5–10.
• Hoven cited Mongolia’s suicide death risk of 26.2 for ages 15–19, placing its adolescents among the most affected globally.
• A 2023 national student survey found high levels of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts among 13–17 year‑olds, with bullying, school and teacher‑student conflict, violence and growing cyberbullying identified as key drivers.
• Presenters called for coordinated prevention across sectors, clear help pathways for children, training for non‑psychiatric professionals, stigma reduction and potential legal or regulatory updates, while highlighting gaps in youth‑focused studies and challenges distinguishing intentional from accidental injuries in data.