Sakha Republic faces surging mental health crisis amid overcrowded facilities

A joint session of three Sakha Republic parliamentary committees has highlighted growing concerns over mental health in the region. Lawmakers reviewed a report by Human Rights Commissioner Sardana Guryeva, revealing a sharp rise in registered mental health cases since 2020. The meeting also addressed severe overcrowding at the Yakutsk Republican Psychoneurological Dispensary, where around 500 patients currently reside.

The session 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 showed that 7,855 patients with mental disorders were registered in 2024—an increase of 1,376 since 2020. Additionally, 10,800 individuals now require outpatient monitoring, up by 786 over the same period.

Lawmakers responded by instructing the regional government to develop proposals for improving patient conditions. Key measures under consideration include constructing a new dispensary building, as directed by the Russian government. The current facility in Yakutsk is severely strained, housing far more patients than intended. Further recommendations involve expanding capacity in specialised mental health facilities and establishing a dedicated support service. An extra 279.2 million rubles is also needed to fund psychiatrists and narcologists whose work falls outside the basic compulsory health insurance (CHI) coverage.

The Sakha Republic parliament has set clear tasks for addressing mental health challenges in the region. Proposed solutions include new infrastructure, increased funding, and expanded services to meet rising demand. Officials will now work on concrete plans to implement these measures.