New reforms target juvenile crime and suicide risks in Kazakhstan

Children Are the Nation's Greatest Asset – Aida Balayeva

Kazakhstan strengthens juvenile crime and suicide prevention with new reforms

A meeting of the Interagency Commission on Minors' Affairs and the Protection of Their Rights was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, our website reports, citing the government's press service.

The commission is a permanent collegial body responsible for coordinating the efforts of government agencies and institutions in preventing juvenile delinquency, neglect, and homelessness among minors.

Representatives of relevant state bodies delivered reports on the current situation. Over the first quarter of this year, the country has seen an 8% decline in juvenile offenses nationwide.

Additionally, the meeting approved a plan for the commission's future work, which includes strengthening regional accountability for juvenile crime prevention, improving targeted support for at-risk children, enhancing interagency cooperation and mentorship programs, and raising the quality of regional implementation of the Qazaqstan Balalary (Children of Kazakhstan) Concept, tailored to local conditions.

It was noted that all regions have updated the composition of their commissions on minors' affairs and rights protection, now including representatives from civil society and expert communities who participate in preventive measures against deviant behavior among minors and collaborate with educational and law enforcement institutions.

The second agenda item addressed the issue of juvenile suicide. The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Ministry of Healthcare, is currently implementing a systematic approach under the Comprehensive Plan for Protecting Children from Violence, Preventing Suicide, and Ensuring Their Rights and Well-Being.

In July 2024, a Unified Algorithm for Identifying Minors Exhibiting Suicidal Behavior and Providing Follow-Up Support was introduced. The document outlines the procedures for interagency coordination and aims to ensure timely assistance.

The meeting included a detailed review of suicide prevention efforts among children and adolescents, as well as ways to improve interagency cooperation in this area. A regional analysis was conducted, examining causes, risk factors, and the effectiveness of existing measures.

According to the Deputy Minister of Healthcare, the low detection rate under the Unified Algorithm indicates inconsistent implementation at the local level. First-quarter data for this year revealed that in 62% of cases, the causes remained unidentified, while 7.6% were linked to family conflicts.

In this regard, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening targeted prevention efforts, improving the quality of analysis for each individual case, and further refining support mechanisms for minors facing difficult life circumstances.

Education Minister Aida Balayeva noted that her agency would integrate modules on recognizing signs of depression, violence, and bullying into all professional development programs, along with protocols for information sharing and interagency coordination.

"Children are our most valuable asset—above all, the human capital of the state—and the interagency commission on minors' affairs and the protection of their rights is not merely an advisory body," Balayeva said. "It is a platform where we can coordinate and focus all our efforts to ensure that children are not subjected to violence or bullying, that they live and interact in a safe environment, and that they do not become victims of injustice or break the law themselves. Preventive work in this area is the commission's mission and a critical factor in raising a healthy, resilient younger generation."

In closing, the Deputy Prime Minister issued a series of specific directives aimed at improving interagency cooperation, enhancing early detection of crisis situations in children, strengthening the role of psychological services in educational institutions, expanding preventive work with parents and teachers, and implementing systemic digital solutions for monitoring and supporting at-risk students.

Particular attention was given to staffing schools with qualified psychologist-educators and establishing a sustainable, comprehensive prevention model at both the national and regional levels.