Moscow, Oct 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russia is witnessing a rise in the number of teenager suicide cases, with an investigative committee revealing over 500 such cases in the first half of 2012.

A Russian investigative committee said Tuesday, a total of 532 minors have killed themselves this year, a majority of whom experienced difficulties at home or faced other social problems. In 2011, as many as 896 teenagers committed suicide, up from 798 the previous year.

If the trend continues into the second half of 2012, it could register as a third-year increase in underage suicides in Russia.

The committee also found that specialists in some cases failed to properly evaluate children that ended up committing suicide, or otherwise offered inadequate assistance. Other indicators, however, suggest the actual figures may be higher.

A major report by the UN Children's Fund last year found that, on an average, more than 1,700 minors commit suicide each year in Russia. The report also found that per capita Russia ranks third in the world for teen suicides.

Experts have cited alcoholism and family dysfunction, among other factors, as the leading causes of suicide among children in Russia.

The Internet may have also played a crucial role in the recent spike: VKontakte, the country's most popular social network, deleted earlier this year several online groups that offered users advice on the "most effective" way to kill themselves.