Yakutia's mental health crisis sparks urgent calls for reform and funding

A joint session of three parliamentary committees in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) has examined pressing mental health challenges in the region. The meeting centred on a report by Human Rights Commissioner Sardana Guryeva, highlighting severe overcrowding and funding gaps in psychiatric care. Lawmakers responded by directing the government to take urgent action. The Yakutsk Republican Psychoneurological Dispensary currently houses around 500 patients, far exceeding its intended capacity. This strain comes as the number of registered mental health patients rose to 7,855 in 2024—up by 1,376 since 2020. Another 10,800 individuals now require outpatient monitoring, an increase of 786 over the same period.

Guryeva’s report proposed several measures to address the crisis. These include constructing a new dispensary building and expanding capacity in specialised social institutions. She also called for a dedicated service to safeguard the rights of patients in psychoneurological departments and inpatient units. Funding remains a critical issue. An additional 279.2 million rubles is needed to cover psychiatrists and narcologists whose services fall outside the basic compulsory health insurance programme. Lawmakers have instructed the government to develop concrete proposals for improving conditions and securing the necessary resources.

The session concluded with clear directives for the regional government. New infrastructure, expanded services, and extra funding for mental health professionals are now priorities. The measures aim to relieve overcrowding and ensure better care for the growing number of patients in Yakutia.