Yakutia's parliament tackles mental health crisis amid surging patient numbers

A recent meeting in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) parliament highlighted growing concerns over mental health support in the region. Lawmakers gathered to address rising patient numbers and strained facilities, following a report by the republic’s human rights commissioner. The session focused on urgent needs, including funding, infrastructure, and patient rights protections. The joint session of three parliamentary committees examined a report by Sardana Guryeva, the region’s human rights commissioner. Her findings revealed that 7,855 people with mental disorders were registered in Yakutia in 2024—an increase of 1,376 since 2020. Additionally, 10,800 individuals now require outpatient monitoring, up by 786 over the same period.

Overcrowding in existing facilities was another key issue. The Yakutsk Republican Psychoneurological Dispensary, originally designed for 250 beds, currently accommodates around 500 patients. To ease pressure, lawmakers proposed constructing a new dispensary building under a federal government directive. The meeting also identified financial gaps. An extra 279.2 million rubles is needed to support psychiatrists and narcologists whose services fall outside the basic compulsory health insurance programme. In response, deputies instructed the regional government to draft proposals for improving patient conditions and expanding capacity in specialised facilities. A new service will also be established to safeguard the rights of patients in psychoneurological departments and inpatient units.

The parliamentary session concluded with clear instructions for the Yakutia government to address mental health challenges. Proposals must now be developed to secure additional funding, build new infrastructure, and enhance patient protections. The region’s rising demand for mental health services has made these measures a priority.