The present study attempted to assess the complex role of several suicide risk and protective factors in Ukraine.

Suicide rates, prevalence of alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis, prevalence of drug addictions, percentage of urban population and gross regional product for 26 provinces of Ukraine were obtained from the State Statistical Office of Ukraine and the WHO. Questions related to citizens’ religiosity and education were obtained from the European Social Survey. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to research the complex theoretical structure of variables that might influence suicide mortality.

Religion presented strong statistically significant negative association with suicide mortality. the relationship between education and suicide was weak negative and not statistically significant. the relationship between the prevalence of alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis and suicide mortality was weak positive and statistically significant. Medium positive statistically significant association was revealed between the prevalence of drug addiction and suicide. the relationship between urbanisation and suicide mortality was medium negative but statistically significant among females only. No relationship was revealed between gross regional product and male suicide while the relationship with female suicide was slightly negative and not statistically significant.

Religiosity was found to be the protective factor most strongly linked to suicide mortality followed by urbanisation. Harmful role of drug addiction and alcoholism was confirmed. the role of education level and GRP is controversial. No striking gender differences were found.