Yakutia's Mental Health Crisis Sparks Urgent Parliamentary Action

The Sakha Republic (Yakutia) parliament has held a joint session to address growing concerns over mental health services. Three key committees met to discuss a report by Human Rights Commissioner Sardana Guryeva, highlighting severe overcrowding and funding gaps in psychiatric care. The meeting brought together the Committee on State Governance and Legislation, the Committee on Healthcare, and the Committee on Social Policy, Labor, and Employment. Guryeva’s report revealed that the Yakutsk Republican Psychoneurological Dispensary, designed for 250 patients, now houses around 500. This extreme overcrowding has raised urgent concerns about patient welfare.

In addition to capacity issues, the report noted a sharp rise in mental health cases. By 2024, 7,855 patients with mental disorders were registered—a jump of 1,376 since 2020. Another 10,800 individuals now require outpatient monitoring, 786 more than four years ago. Funding shortages were also highlighted, with an extra 279.2 million rubles needed to cover psychiatrists and narcologists not included in the basic compulsory health insurance program. Guryeva proposed solutions, including the construction of a new dispensary building and expanding capacity in specialised social institutions. Lawmakers responded by instructing the government to develop concrete proposals for improving conditions and increasing support for patients with mental disorders. A new service dedicated to protecting the rights of patients in psychoneurological departments and inpatient units is also set to be established.

The session ended with clear directives for the government to take action. Additional funding, expanded facilities, and a new rights protection service are now under consideration. These measures aim to address the rising demand for mental health care and improve conditions for patients in Yakutia.